Projects / Programmes
Designation of measures to ensure genetic-based forest protection
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 4.01.01 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Forestry, wood and paper technology |
Forest - forestry |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B430 |
Biomedical sciences |
Sylviculture, forestry, forestry technology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 4.01 |
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences |
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries |
climate change, genetic diversity, indicators, forest seed objects, genetic monitoring, measures, ge
Researchers (15)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publications |
| 1. |
29875 |
Marko Bajc |
Forestry, wood and paper technology |
Technician |
2011 - 2014 |
275 |
| 2. |
14869 |
PhD Gregor Božič |
Forestry, wood and paper technology |
Researcher |
2011 - 2014 |
494 |
| 3. |
08032 |
PhD Miran Čas |
Forestry, wood and paper technology |
Researcher |
2011 - 2014 |
243 |
| 4. |
32936 |
Samo Grbec |
Forestry, wood and paper technology |
Technician |
2011 - 2014 |
14 |
| 5. |
21242 |
PhD Tine Grebenc |
Plant production |
Researcher |
2011 - 2014 |
462 |
| 6. |
28855 |
Melita Hrenko |
|
Technician |
2011 - 2014 |
0 |
| 7. |
16067 |
PhD Andrej Kobler |
Forestry, wood and paper technology |
Researcher |
2012 - 2014 |
284 |
| 8. |
07127 |
PhD Hojka Kraigher |
Forestry, wood and paper technology |
Principal Researcher |
2011 - 2014 |
1,303 |
| 9. |
15108 |
PhD Lado Kutnar |
Forestry, wood and paper technology |
Researcher |
2011 - 2014 |
771 |
| 10. |
27789 |
Iztok Sinjur |
|
Technician |
2011 - 2014 |
290 |
| 11. |
32771 |
PhD Ines Štraus |
Forestry, wood and paper technology |
Junior researcher |
2011 - 2014 |
52 |
| 12. |
24777 |
Barbara Štupar |
|
Technician |
2011 - 2014 |
29 |
| 13. |
28224 |
PhD Andrej Verlič |
Forestry, wood and paper technology |
Researcher |
2011 - 2014 |
132 |
| 14. |
24343 |
PhD Marjana Westergren |
Forestry, wood and paper technology |
Researcher |
2011 - 2014 |
387 |
| 15. |
28401 |
PhD Peter Železnik |
Forestry, wood and paper technology |
Researcher |
2011 - 2014 |
181 |
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publications |
| 1. |
0404 |
Slovenian Forestry Institute |
Ljubljana |
5051673000 |
10,964 |
Abstract
Conservation of genetic diversity of populations of forest trees is one of the main conditions to the existence and normal development of forests in unpredictable environmental changes. Maintenance of the adaptation potential of forests is based on a dynamic genetic conservation of diverse gene pools of individual tree species and their symbiotic organisms. Genetic inventory for conservation of genetic resources requires the development and implementation of the concept of genetic monitoring, which will allow learning about the differences in characteristics between different populations of forest tree species and about the differences between individuals within a population. In addition to developing and establishing procedures and protocols of genetic diversity of provenances of forest trees the definition of criteria for the selection and tending of forest seed stands (basic material) on the genetic basis is an important target of this project to implement the existing system. The three project objectives will be achieved through organization of project activities in four work packages, each with several partial targets, which are interdependent and pursued in a chronological order of three years:
WP1: Development of genetic monitoring system for estimation of the adaptation of provenances of forest trees to environmental conditions (lead by M. Westergren, 15% of activities)
WP2: Measures to ensure the protection of genetic diversity, studied on the case of two tree species: a stand-forming broadleaf (beech) and a scattered broadleaf species (black poplar) (lead by G. Božič, 35% of activities)
WP3: Identification of criteria for the selection and tending of seed stands on the genetic basis as an upgrade of the existing system (lead by M. Westergren, 15% of activities)
WP4: Dissemination and project management (lead by H. Kraigher, 35% of activities)
Genetic monitoring will be performed using neutral DNA markers (presumably neutral on the selection process), through analysis of adaptation (adaptive) signs of growth and development in the context of selected provenances of beech provenance trial and other in the WP1 selected criteria for the genetic monitoring. Research will include common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) as an economically important tree stand forming tree species, and a scattered minority species black poplar (Populus nigra L.) growing in fragmented habitats of endangered lowland forest ecosystems. To achieve the objectives of the WP1 and WP2 the activities will include field work and genetic analysis. Among the main results, in addition to the publication in scientific journals, an interactive transfer of knowledge through discussion workshops with silvicultureres from 14 regional units of the Slovenian Forest Service, with forest seed and nursery organizations / dealers will be organized. Also the professional basis to complement the regulations on forest seed objects and gene reserves will be prepared and a handbook for monitoring the genetic diversity of tree populations will be published. The final results will be discussed through the organization of an expert workshop on forest reproductive material for the Central and Southeastern Europe. The participants will critically discuss the results of the project, procedures and protocols for genetic monitoring and prepare a basis for agreement on joint activities in this area; the organization will include preparation of a monography on genetic monitoring, use and conservation of forest genetic resources in Central and Southeastern Europe
Significance for science
Within the project, we have contributed to the review of theoretical and practical aspects of management of forest genetic resources, to the development of standards for establishment of dynamic gene conservation units, to the assessment of their distribution across Europe (and Slovenia) and their vulnerability due to climate change. Thereby we have contributed to the development of the whole scientific field, as well as to the development of Slovenian and European guidelines for conservation of forest genetic resources. We have contributed to the development / selection / definition of indicators and verifiers for genetic monitoring at European level and partially tested their value in terms of laboratory work required and information obtained for a selected set of markers for beech, which could be potentially used for genetic monitoring. Also, LIFE + project LIFEGENMON, which will implement and test genetic monitoring as well as economically evaluate selected / defined indicators and verifiers of genetic diversity at international level, was conceptually designed, prepared and approved within this project.
Significance for the country
With the help of this project, Slovenia has introduced and proven itself to be in the forefront in the field of conservation of forest genetic resources. Additionally, as one of three countries where genetic monitoring for two tree species will be implemented (LIFE + project LIFEGENMON, which has been designed and developed within this project), we can become an example of good practice in Europe. We have developed and tested methods for identification of clones in seed orchards based on a case study of a narrow-leaved ash seed orchard Hraščica. During this we realised that such methods are necessary in order to avoid errors during establishment of seed orchards. We have also observed that irregular shelterwood system of a beech stand at Osankarica proved to be suitable for conservation of genetic diversity (the latter was similar to the one in an old growth forest reserve; also the transfer of information between successive generations was similar to that in the old growth). We have presented measures for genetic protection of forests - protection of forest genetic resources (FGR) in situ, ex situ and measures to ensure genetic diversity of individual tree species or groups of species for 20 species or groups of species.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report
