DIVERSE_GENE_WATCH Report - How to Enrich Genetic Diversity in Forest Tree Populations

Genetic diversity is what gives tree populations the ability to adapt, recover and survive over the long term. When it declines, forests may become more vulnerable to disease, climate stress or poor regeneration. So, the key question is not only how to monitor these risks, but also: what can be done when genetic diversity is already under pressure? A new DIVERSE_GENE_WATCH report, “Scenarios and forest management plans on how to enrich genetic diversity,”

Forest Genetic Monitoring can help detect early warning signs of genetic biodiversity loss. But once those warning signs are identified, forest managers, conservation authorities and policy actors need practical response options. The report explains how assisted migration could be used to introduce better-adapted forest reproductive material while also increasing genetic diversity. It also discusses the challenge of deciding where material could come from, how far it could be transferred, and how to avoid compromising local gene pools.

The report also provides genetic diversity enrichment scale, including DNA-based and phenotype-based indicators that can help assess the genetic diversity status of monitored forest populations. These indicators are intended to support future decisions on whether intervention is needed and how strong that intervention should be.

Read more in the full report: Scenarios and forest management plans on how to enrich genetic diversity.

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