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Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

Forest genetic resources

Forests and other woodlands provide numerous goods and services that are essential to people’s livelihoods and well-being. Trees are also keystone species of forest ecosystems, which harbour the vast majority of Earth’s terrestrial biodiversity. Forest genetic resources are the heritable materials maintained within and among tree and other woody plant species that are of actual or potential economic, environmental, scientific or societal value. Forest genetic resources are crucial for the adaptation and evolutionary processes of trees and other woody plant species, as well as for increasing the productivity of both natural and planted forests.

Forest genetic resources face several threats. Land-use change, i.e. the conversion of forests to crop fields and pasture lands, is a major driver of losses. Other threats include overexploitation, selective harvesting and high tree mortality due to extreme climatic events or outbreaks of pests or diseases. These threats can result in local population extinction and genetic erosion. Conservation and sustainable use of forest genetic resources are therefore necessary to ensure that present and future generations continue to benefit from forests and trees. 

Main outcomes CGRFA-20:

Key publications
The number of tree species in the world is nearly 60 000.
26 percent of tree species are globally threatened.
2 400 tree species are actively managed for products and services.
700 species are included in tree improvement programmes.