PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Sustainable forest management is based on the long-term adaptability of forest ecosystems that starts at the genetic level. Forest genetic monitoring (FGM) is therefore a crucial component of any sustainable forest management operation, as it presents the possibility of detecting potentially harmful changes in forest adaptability before they are seen at higher levels. By introducing genetic monitoring into conservation programmes and sustainable forest management, it is possible to assess information on relevant changes of a species’ adaptive and neutral genetic variation through time.
OBJECTIVES
The main aim of the LIFEGENMON project was to develop a system for forest genetic monitoring (FGM) to serve as an early-warning system to aid in the assessment of a species’ response to environmental change on a long-term temporal scale.
Key project objectives were:
- To define optimal indicators and verifiers for monitoring changes in genetic diversity across a transect from Bavaria to Greece for two selected target species (Fagus sylvatica and Abies alba);
- To prepare guidelines for FGM for these two, and an additional five species, which differ in their biology and distribution, for the implementation of FGM at a national, regional and EU scale;
- To prepare a manual for FGM, for implementation at EU level;
- To prepare a decision support system for an optimal choice of the level of FGM, based on needs and means;
- To organise a series of training courses for the forestry sector for implementation of FGM in their territories;
- To establish a well-functioning internationally-linked team of forestry professionals working on FGM; and
- To provide access to all information directly, through existing networks or beneficiaries, and if requested, to transfer data to the EU Forest Data Centre of JRC.
RESULTS
The LIFEGENMON project established six forest genetic monitoring sites in Slovenia, Germany and Greece, with initial and final samplings taken for the genetic and other analyses. This analysis led to the drawing up of protocols for long-term genetic monitoring of forest habitats.
Furthermore, the project defined optimal indicators and verifiers for monitoring changes in genetic diversity across a transect from Bavaria to Greece for two selected target species: European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and silver fir (Abies alba). Detailed guidelines for genetic monitoring of seven tree species were prepared (Fagus sylvatica, Abies alba/borisii-regis complex, Fraxinus excelsior, Prunus avium, Populus nigra, Quercus petraea/robur complex, Pinus nigra).
Another outcome of the project was the development of a decision-support system for an optimal choice of the level of forest genetic monitoring based on needs and means. These results were included in a comprehensive manual for forest genetic monitoring for implementation at EU level, which was published in English, German, Greek and Slovenian).
Additionally, the project organised a series of training courses on the implementation of forest genetic monitoring. At the end of project, a well-functioning internationally linked team of forestry professionals working on forest genetic monitoring had been established. It is supported by the web portal, Knowledge for Forests, which was developed by the project.
Project events reached more than 5 000 experts, foresters, teachers, schoolchildren and other stakeholders from a range of countries. Several educational publications were produced and were very well received by teachers and pupils. An innovative game, Seed Hunter, was developed for mobile devices.
The project was presented at the plenary session at the 125th Conference of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations in Freiburg, Germany. The final conference was held in Ljubljana in September 2020. Background documents and guidelines for policy-makers at the national, regional and the EU level were prepared based on the results of the project, presented and discussed during the final conference.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).
