Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Robinia pseudoacacia Depending on the Origin of Different Geographic Provenances

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is recognised as a forest species of interest due to its multiple uses. The management of forest genetic resources and their efficient conservation suffer from variations in traits and start with seed germination. The aim of the current study was to investigate the germination of seeds obtained from plus trees selected in eight Romanian provenances, as well as to investigate the influence of the origin upon plants’ growth and development. Two experiments were undertaken to test seed germination: one treatment involved water-soaked seeds and heat/cold treatment, while the other treatment was based on sulphuric acid, at different concentrations (50, 70, 90%). The results were correlated with the morphological analysis of the seeds. Satu-Mare had the lowest germination rate within both treatments. Sulphuric acid did not improve seed germination as much as the heat treatment. The highest germination rate occurred for the water and temperature treatment on seeds from Bihor provenance (68.2%). The most distant provenance was Bihor, in inverse correlation with Bistrița Năsăud and grouped separately within the hierarchical dendrogram of cluster analysis based on the analysed parameters of the provenances investigated. The results demonstrated that the genotypes and environmental heterogeneity of the seed origin within the provenances may finally result in different performances.

Conservation of forest genetic resources through the example of native Quercus species from the “Košutnjak” park forest in Serbia

Given the importance of urban park forests and protected natural areas in the urban environment, the implementation of the concept of genetic conservation is one of the main ways to save and improve this category of natural resources. Forests such as Košutnjak can be considered a refuge for flora and fauna and by establishing conservation programs for certain species, the entire ecosystem would be better protected. The purpose of this paper is to elaborate a systematic approach to in situ conservation of forest genetic resources in urban areas through the example of four native oak species: pedunculate oak, sessile oak, Hungarian oak and downy oak in the protected natural area “Košutnjak” in the capital of Serbia – Belgrade, to develop replicable conservation guidelines for urban park forests. The methodological framework for the development of guidelines for genetic conservation, presented in this paper, is a replicable model whose basic principles can be applied in other cases of urban park forests.

State of in situ forest genetic resources of broadleaved tree species in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Forest genetic resources (FGRs) are an important source of biodiversity conservation and forest restoration. Today, more than 600 genetic reserves (GRs) of more than 30 main forest tree species have been allocated in Ukraine. The main aim of the work is to reveal the features of the distribution, environmental condition and the trends of state of in situ gene sources of broadleaved tree species in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Based on the research results, it has been established that the share of FGR in situ is only 0.3–0.5% of the total forest area of the region. The predominant species of forest stands of the region are English oak (Quercus robur L.) – 37.7%, European beach (Fagus sylvatica L.) – 26.8% and Common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) – 7.6%. The in situ locations of Black alder (Alnus incana L.), Sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.), English oak and Common ash are characterized by the highest average annual temperature (8.1–8.2°С), the accumulated temperatures for the growing season (3111.9–3237.1°С). Stands with the European beech predominance are allocated in better moisture conditions by the precipitation-temperatures ratio (Selianinov Hydrothermal Index (HTI) – 1.769–1.802; climatic index by Vorobyov – 2.707–2.951). The in situ gene pool conservation units are defined by 12 soil types that are included in the 7 main groups according to the FAO international classification. The largest number of sites, 67 (56.8%), is concentrated on grey and dark-grey forest soils (Haplic Greyzems) (47%). According to the research results, GRs are not evenly distributed, they do not fully reflect the environmental diversity, and their area is negligible. We indicated the unsatisfactory condition of most genetic reserves. It was caused by reducing the share of main tree species, decrease in relative stocking density of stands and tree-breeding structure and deterioration of tree stands condition. This requires the development and implementation of an integration strategy based on the established concept of developing a national ecological network on both national and pan-European levels.

Culturile comparative – elemente esențiale de verificare a comportamentului diferitor proveniențe de arbori

Depending on the general or specific objectives, for the improvement of forest species and to assess performance of proveniences in different environmental conditions, it is necessary to install comparative trials. These comparative trials include descendants of Forest Genetic Resources (RGF) from three provenance regions (A, B, C) of the Republic of Moldova, and are being intended to monitor the performance of descendants over time. The performance of descendants will be evaluated through different statistical approaches of biometric parameters. The study of comparative cultures will contribute to establish over time most adapted and stable proveniences for region where permanent trials are installed. The selection of most adapted proveniences is the first mandatory stage in any tree improvement program, because in addition to estimating provenances ability to adapt, are also evaluated quantitative traits such as growth performances and wood quality and plasticity.

Explorarea resurselor genetice forestiere de stejar pedunculat în cadrul întreprinderii pentru silvicultură „Hîncești-Silva”

Lately, the impact of climate change on forests is visible by drying them out and reducing the regenerative capacity under certain conditions. In this sense, FGR (Forest Genetic Resources) conservation measures are undertaken for the main forest species. This paper aims to explore the FGR of pedunculate oak in order to establish the FGR within the IS Hincesti-Silva.

The use of the forest management database in the process of primary selection of stands within forest genetic resources

The forest management database is used for the primary selection of the candidate stands for inclusion in forest genetic resources (FGR). The management and primary processing of the forest management database was performed with the support of standard functions of commonly used software (Microsoft Excel). In 2020, the primary identification area of FGR was 75.7 thousand ha of land covered with forests in the central area of the Republic of Moldova. As a result of the data processing, 12.7 thousand ha, or 16.8% of the study area, of candidate stands were selected for inclusion in the FGR.

Necesitatea aplicării cunoștințelor de genetică moleculară în gestionarea resurselor genetice forestiere din Republica Moldova

Molecular genetics plays a crucial role in the assessment of forest genetic resources. Using recently acquired genetic knowledge based on molecular markers, can contribute significantly to the development of advanced strategies for in-situ dynamic conservation of forest genetic resources in the Republic of Moldova.

Managing forest genetic resources as a strategy to adapt forests to climate change: perceptions of European forest owners and managers

Managing genetic diversity is of key importance in fostering resilience of forest ecosystems to climate change. We carried out a survey reaching over 200 forest owners and managers from 15 European countries to understand their perceptions of the main threats to forest ecosystems, their knowledge of forest genetic resources (FGR) and their attitude toward actively managing these resources to strengthen the resilience of forest ecosystems to climate change. Respondents perceived pests and diseases to be the top-ranking threats to forests, followed by windstorms and drought, with differences across countries. They stated to be aware of the potential offered by managing FGR and indicated that they paid attention to origin and quality in their choice of planting material. Generally, respondents showed a positive attitude in using forest reproductive material foreign to the planting site, to better match the projected future climate conditions, introducing either a new native tree species or a new non-local genotype of a species already planted (keeping the same species but changing the source of planting material). However, forest reproductive material from local sources was largely preferred over non-local material (both genetically improved and not improved). Forest managers and owners may need to be exposed to more evidence of the potential benefits deriving from active adaptation and mitigation management of FGR before implementing adaptive measures. Also, more efforts should be invested in understanding perceptions and motivations of European forest owners and managers, in order to better tailor advice on optimal measures to counteract the detrimental effects of climate change.