Treesearch

Across the United States, forest communities are faced with the prospect of extirpation of Fraxinus (ash) species owing to mortality caused by invasion of the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). However, with the advancement of ex situ seed conservation practices, we have the opportunity to conserve the ecoregional-based genetic variability of Fraxinus species before they are lost from the wild. Genetic variability is critical to resistance research and to potential future reintroductions. Established in 2009 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA FS), the Ash...

Genetic variation is the most powerful factor in ensuring the long term success of trees and forests in times of change. In order to protect against loss of genetic variation from threats, including pests and diseases and climate change, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is developing a national tree seed collection for the United Kingdom. This paper describes the authors methodologies and experiences of developing the national collection: firstly, forming species target lists using plant health risk and conservation assessments; then, developing national sampling strategies based on the...

In the face of ongoing environmental change, conservation and natural resource agencies are initiating or expanding ex situ seed collections from natural plant populations. Seed collections have many uses, including in provenance trials, breeding programs, seed orchards, gene banks for long-term conservation (live plants or seeds), restoration, reforestation, and scientific study of plant germination or other plant ecology studies. Well-known examples of ex situ collections include the Millennium Seed Bank Partnership, Australian Seed Bank Partnership, United Kingdom National Tree Seed...

Geological, climatological and ecological processes partially or entirely isolate evolutionary lineages within tree species. These lineages may develop adaptations to different local environmental conditions, and may eventually evolve into distinct forms or species. Isolation also can reduce adaptive genetic variation within populations of a species, potentially compromising their ability to respond to climate change. Dramatic climate changes during the Pleistocene, for example, caused species ranges to contract and fragment into isolated glacial refugia before expanding and reconnecting....

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA FS) began ash (Fraxinus) germplasm preservation in 2005, through seed collections for long term seed storage. The work was coordinated with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). Collections have been accomplished through many cooperators. Various methods of outreach were deployed to solicit cooperators. No method stood out as better than another. However, the level of interest in genetic conservation held by the cooperator seemed much more important in determining if they chose to participate rather than how they were contacted....

Threats to North American forest trees from exotic pests and pathogens or habitat loss, make it imperative that every available tool be employed for conservation and restoration of these at risk species. One such tool, in vitro propagation, could greatly enhance conservation of forest tree genetic material and selection and breeding of resistant or tolerant genotypes for restoration. In vitro propagation approaches include standard micropropagation (axillary shoot multiplication), organogenesis (adventitious shoot production) and somatic embryogenesis (SE), a process by which structures...

Association studies integrating environmental, phenotypic, and genetic data are key in understanding forest tree resilience to climate change and disease. As genomic resources increase, both in terms of complete reference sequences and magnitude of individuals genotyped, researchers are better equipped to identify correlations between genetic variation and adaptive or commercial traits. Computational resources designed to integrate and distribute high quality genotypic, phenotypic, and environmental datasets remain insufficient for the task. TreeGenes is a web-based resource dedicated to...

Genetic resource management programs across the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA FS) play a key role in supporting successful land management activities. The programs are responsible for developing and providing plant material for revegetation, seed management guidelines, emergency fire recovery assistance, genetic conservation strategies, climate change guidance, and partnership opportunities. The primary objective of the USDA FS genetics programs is to provide the genetically most appropriate plant material to support diverse, sustainable and resilient forests. These...

Pinus strobiformis (southwestern white pine) is threatened by both a rapidly changing climate and the tree disease white pine blister rust, caused by an introduced fungal pathogen, Cronartium ribicola. We began a proactive program in ~2009 to sustain P. strobiformis that includes genetic conservation, research, and management strategies. Research is related to the silvics, ecology, genetics, and future climate profile of the species. The results of these investigations will be used to develop refined seed transfer zones and silvicultural approaches to managing southwestern white pine in a...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA FS) National Seed Laboratory (NSL) began long term seed storage for genetic conservation, in 2005, for USDA FS units and cooperators. This program requires secure storage of both seeds and the data documenting the identification of the seeds. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has provided both of these services to the USDA FS through the NSL. Security backup, of all samples, is provided at the ARS National Laboratory for Genetic Resource Preservation. Forest Service seed sample data is stored in the Germplasm Resource Information...