On numbers of clones needed for managing risks in clonal forestry

Abstract

An important question in clonal forestry concerns the number of clones needed in plantations to protect against catastrophic failure while at the same time achieving the uniform stands, high yields, and ease of management associated with this management system. This paper looks at how the required number of clones needed to achieve a predetermined maximum acceptable level of risk changes as underlying system parameters—level of loss acceptable to the plantation manager; number or severity of pest attacks; level of clonal resistance to attack; and gene frequencies associated with "susceptible" alleles—increase or decrease. In general, the number of clones needed decreases as the intensity of pest attack increases, and increases if any of the other quantities increases. An explanation of these trends is offered in terms of risk-prone vs. risk-averse behavior, and implications for governmental regulations and forest management are discussed.

Citation

Bishir, J.; Roberds, J.H. 1999. On numbers of clones needed for managing risks in clonal forestry. Forest Genetics. 6(3): 149-155.