Indicator 1.3.2 - Status of in situ and ex situ conservation efforts for native tree species in each ecozone
core indicator


The conservation of genetic resources is a key objective in meeting sustainable resource management and biodiversity objectives. Strategies for maintaining sufficient genetic diversity in native forest species require an understanding of species biology and ecology. This information is used to identify the threats to genetic diversity and to develop management plans and objectives. Gene conservation strategies typically use a combination of in situ and ex situ conservation methods. In situ conservation manages genetic resources in their native habitats whereas ex situ conservation manages genetic resources in special facilities or collections (Ledig et al. 1998).

In situ and ex situ gene conservation strategies are developed to ensure that native tree species, and their associated plant communities, maintain a full genetic component. This is done to enable them to adapt to changes resulting from stress imposed by environmental factors (e.g., climate change) or by disturbance factors such as harvesting, wildfires, disease (Indicator 2.3), land use conversion (Indicator 2.2), or invasive alien species (Indicator 1.2.4). Conservation of genetic resources of native tree species also provides sources of genetic variation that may add potential biological, social, and economic value for the benefit of future generations in forest-based communities (Indicator 5.1.4). Although tree species that become locally extinct due to human activities may be reintroduced through artificial regeneration and appropriate forest management for species diversity, the loss of genetic diversity that accompanies local extinction may take generations, or be impossible, to recover (Mosseler 1992).

In situ conservation can be either passive (e.g., leaving the area undisturbed) or active (e.g., prescribed burning) and can occur on both protected and managed lands. In situ conservation is generally considered economically more feasible (especially for noncommercial species) and provides the opportunity for the species to evolve among pests, symbionts, and competitors occurring in the ecosystem (Rogers and Ledig 1996). Understanding gene flow and dispersal distance and patterns is important both from the perspective of planning for in situ conservation and for protection of natural ecosystems from alien genes. Natural regeneration is considered one of several in situ conservation strategies and is a common management approach for reforestation in Canada. In some provinces such as British Columbia, where natural regeneration systems account for only an estimated 20% of the reforestation practices, a more comprehensive gene conservation program is pursued. In addition, the establishment and mapping of seed zones help to control the transfer of seed or vegetative material, ensuring that seeds or seedlings used for reforestation are planted in the same general location where the seeds were collected.

Ex situ conservation plays an important role, especially when in situ conservation is not feasible (e.g., when suitable habitat has been lost) or when attempting to protect specific genes or genotypes. Most provinces and territories have clone banks, seed orchards, provenance trials, and progeny tests for ex situ gene conservation for commercial and some other indigenous tree species. Seed banks that are managed at both the provincial and national levels, such as the National Tree Seed Centre, also provide ex situ conservation of the genetic diversity of Canadian tree and shrub species and are sources of germ plasm for research, reforestation, or restoration projects.

The conservation of forest genetic resources in Canada is achieved through the combined efforts of federal, provincial/territorial, and nongovernmental agencies. For example, in situ conservation is carried out in protected areas or other conservation lands across Canada. Anetwork of conservation data centers and natural heritage information centers across the country maintains databases on occurrences and species status assessments. These centers are coordinated by NatureServe Canada, a nonprofit association that collaborates with government agencies and NGOs. Table 1.3a describes some of the other provincial and territorial initiatives contributing to the conservation of forest genetic resources. Because there is a wide diversity of land ownership and management agencies involved in genetic conservation, it is difficult to access information on all these activities.

In 2003, in an attempt to report on the status of genetic diversity in Canada's forests, the Canadian Forest Service of Natural Resources Canada surveyed experts from various agencies across Canada on the status of gene conservation for indigenous tree and shrub species (Beardmore et al. 2003). The results of the survey indicated that 58 tree species require conservation measures throughout one or more parts of their ranges. In addition, for 20 of the tree species in the survey, there was not enough information to determine their conservation status. Many of the tree species identified as requiring some form of genetic conservation are from the Carolinian forests of southern Ontario. Populations of these indigenous tree species, rare in the Mixedwood Plains ecozone, have been severely reduced due to multiple stresses including agricultural development and urbanization (Beardmore et al. 2003). Several temperate zone conifers (white and red pine, eastern hemlock, red and white spruce) have experienced serious population declines over the past 150 years, and gene pool degradation of white pine and white spruce is probable. Similarly, shade-tolerant angiosperms such as sugar maple and beech have been subjected to selective harvesting or high grading that will probably affect the genetic qualities of future generations (Reid and Mosseler 1995).

Specific conservation initiatives have been established for several of the 58 species. For example, proactive measures put in place to ensure that eastern white pine, threatened as a result of high grading in the nineteenth century, by the subsequent introduction of white pine blister rust, and by infestations of the white pine weevil, does not become a species at risk include the establishment of

• genetic selection and conservation programs, a seed orchard, reforestation and silvicultural guidelines, and several moratoria on its future harvest in Newfoundland (Ministry of Forest Resources and Agrifoods 1999);
• progeny testing and a white pine restoration program in Quebec (Daoust and Beaulieu 2004); and
• a silviculture guide (OMNR 1998) and a conservation policy for old-growth forests in Ontario (OMNR 2003).

Table 1.3a Description of in situ and ex situ genetic conservation efforts for native tree species

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Jurisdiction	Authority, organization, and/or program(s)	Program description or ojective
Newfoundland and Labrador	Tree species are protected in forests managed on crown lands and in protected areas through an in situ approach	Red and white pine are protected from harvest by legislation. Multijurisdictional committees advise on future management and conservation of these species. Maintain all ex situ plantations of black and white spruce as reservoirs of natural genetic variation Maintain seed and clone banks to preserve gene pool of most commercial tree species
Prince Edward Island	In situ conservation of tree species are protected in forests managed on provincial forest lands, provincial parks, and areas protected under the Natural Areas Protection Act	Objectives: To protect tree and shrub species through appropriate management To establish protected areas for rare tree and shrub species
Nova Scotia	Tree species are protected in forests managed on crown lands and in protected areas through an in situ approach
New Brunswick	Tree species are protected in forests managed on crown lands and in protected areas through an in situ approach	Objectives: To maintain on crown lands old and/or late seral stages for a full range of naturally occurring forest types equivalent to 12% of the total area in each vegetative community defined by the 1982 provincial inventory To protect unique forest sites by preserving sites with high or unique ecological, historical, cultural, or scenic value
	Gene Conservation Working Group, Atlantic Forestry Centre	Identifies conservation needs for forest genetic resources and develops conservation protocols Educates the forest sector, the public, and other appropriate sectors about gene conservation
Quebec	Tree species are protected in forests managed on crown lands and in protected areas through an in situ approach	Objective: To protect tree and shrub species through a network of protected areas and through forest management practices Protected areas status granted in particular to protect rare tree and shrub species, notably under the Natural Heritage Conservation Act and the Forest Act. (It is assumed that almost all of the tree and shrub species that occur naturally in Quebec can be found in protected areas.) Conservation of genetic diversity through natural regeneration, seed bank, and provenance tests
	Exceptional Forest Ecosystems Program, Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune	Identifies and protects exceptional forest ecosystems, i.e., those with rare forest type, ancient forests, or forests sheltering threatened or vulnerable plant species
Ontario	Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO)	Ensures uniform, science-based, defensible approach to provincial status evaluations and recovery work for species at risk
	Forest Genetics Ontario	Objectives: To conserve the adaptive variation within species in artificial regeneration programs. To conserve a broad genetic base in natural regeneration. To promote restoration strategies for vulnerable, threatened, and endangered species. To develop species management plans for species of concern. To actively manage seed orchards to meet the demand for genetically enhanced stock. To deploy genetically enhanced stock in a way that is sensitive to ecological concerns.
Manitoba	Endangered Species Advisory Committee	Advises minister on species of conservation concern, including recommendations for listing species under the Manitoba Endangered Species Act. Two rare native tree species (white pine and hackberry) have been assessed by this committee to date.
Saskatchewan	Tree species are protected in forests managed on crown lands and in protected areas through an in situ approach	Objectives: To conserve native biological diversity in representative areas (to serve as ecological benchmark) To preserve biological diversity in wilderness parks To protect wildlife habitat on wildlife development lands
Alberta	Provincial Tree Gene Conservation Program	Maintains adequate samples of genetic resources of forest tree species in each ecozone of Alberta Offers a reservoir of natural genetic variation for use in tree improvement, scientific and botanical studies Provides benchmarks for improved forest and genetic diversity Maintains ex situ plantations, clone banks, and seed banks for native tree species
	Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council	Objective: To support conservation of forest genetic resources through advice and recommendations to the minister
British Columbia	Provincial Gene Resource Management and Resource Inventory (Data Conservation) programs (Ministry of Forests and Range, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Ministry of Environment)	Hosted Canadian Tree Improvement Association Conference, Climate Change and Forest Genetics, in Kelowna, July 2004 Undertakes provincial breeding and genecology programs including ex situ plantations, provenance trials, breeding arboreta, and clone banks for more than 15 native tree species Maintains provincial Tree Seed Centre Maintains provincial Data Conservation Centre (coordinated nationally through NatureServe Canada) Develops provincial gene resource management plans, including in situ and ex situ gene conservation (in progress) Supports provincial gene resource management (mountain pine beetle, climate change) initiatives Order establishing provincial nonspatial old-growth objectives (June 2004) Defines parks, ecological reserves, and protected areas in Ecological Reserve Act Supports effectiveness evaluation under Forest Resource Evaluation Program, Timber Value - Genetic Diversity
	Forest Genetics Council of British Columbia	Supports an in situ documentation program through the Centre for Forest Gene Conservation (UBC). Information is incorporated into FGC strategic plans, and species-based annual business planning. Gene conservation identified as a strategic goal in the Forest Genetics Council of British Columbia Strategic Plan (2004/2008)
	Centre for Forest Gene Conservation (University of British Columbia)	Inventories and catalogues forest tree gene resources (Hamann et al. 2004) Supports information and expertise related to forest gene conservation Develops and advances gene conservation theory through research and collaboration with other agencies worldwide
Yukon	Tree species are protected in forests managed on crown lands and in protected areas through an in situ approach	Reexamining protected areas Conservation of genetic diversity through natural regeneration, seed banks, and provenance tests
Northwest Territories	No tree species conservation program	No perceived threat to loss of genetic diversity in native trees at this time or in the foreseeable future
Nunavut	Gene conservation is through an in situ approach in protected areas

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