Appendix E

The Forest Genetics Program

Introduction

For thousands of years and for a number of beneficial uses, humans have selected from the genetic variation that is naturally present in plants and animals. Modern agricultural programs have increased yields and productivity through selection and breeding. The need for food production and natural resources is increasing as the human population grows. Genetics programs will continue to help meet these demands.

The genes in all organisms are the basis of their diversity. Genetic diversity is a key component of ecosystems. Broad genetic variability provides a buffer against change. Genetic uniformity decreases resilience to change and increases the potential for problems caused by pests and diseases. The physical characteristics of an organism result from the interaction of its genes with the environment. Ecosystems are dynamic communities that change over time. Species with wide tolerances can adapt to changes, while those with narrow tolerances can be heavily impacted. Genetic material from wild stock is an important source of variability that can be infused into existing improved varieties. Many medicinal compounds are derived from plants and there is the potential for more undiscovered uses. Conserving genetic diversity for all species allows evolutionary processes to continue within the conditions of the natural environment.

Tree improvement is the application of genetic principles and methods to the culture of forest tree species. Many desirable traits in trees can be enhanced with tree improvement. The BLM has participated in cooperative tree improvement programs for forest trees in the Pacific Northwest since the late 1950s. The emphasis has been in improvement of tree growth and disease resistance. Ecosystem management principles are changing the focus of the tree improvement program. The existing tree improvement and seed orchard programs will be integrated into a broader based forest genetics program. A forest genetics program is consistent with ecosystem management principles and can be expanded to cover the genetics of other plants and animals.

The remainder of this appendix describes the objectives, the present status, and the proposed direction of the forest genetics program. Readers interested in technical details of the program are referred to the BLM Western Oregon Tree Improvement Plan (U.S. Department of the Interior, BLM, OSO 1987a). Additional information on genetic resource issues can be found in The Value of Genetic Resources (Oldfield 1984) and Genetics and Conservation of Rare Plants (Falk and Holsinger 1991).

Program Objectives

Objectives of the forest genetics program underlay a broad spectrum of land management activities. The biological foundation of ecosystem management rests upon a clear understanding of the genetic diversity present within the system. The following objectives are broadly defined and include tree improvement, gene management, and gene conservation activities:

provide seed production for planting species on BLM-administered lands and develop seed collection and seed deployment guidelines;
develop genetically improved materials to meet BLM's resource management objectives;
maintain and restore the genetic diversity within managed forest stands;
analyze needs and carry out gene conservation strategies;
collect information on genetic variation from important species;
contribute to the development of genetic information needed for watershed analysis, ecological assessments, research studies and ecosystem management projects; and
maintain flexibility within the program so that information meets current needs and anticipates future needs.

Status of Existing Program

The BLM tree improvement program has generated a substantial and important genetic information base for several conifer species. The data is significant to ecosystem management because it describes the nature and extent of genetic variation present for selected traits of each species.

Genetic diversity is continuous across the landscape and tree improvement programs are implemented at this level. Each program is focused on a small ecologically similar area called a breeding unit. Most tree improvement programs are cooperatives involving BLM and other forest land owners. A cooperative structure is beneficial because it increases the number of trees in the genetic base and the trees are located across a broader geographic area. Program costs are shared among cooperators which is more efficient. BLM is cooperating in more than fifty breeding units which include several million acres of forest land in Western Oregon.

The following accomplishments summarize the status of the program:

Several conifer species (Douglas-fir, western hemlock, noble fir, western white pine, and sugar pine) have been selected for genetically controlled characteristics such as growth rate, tree form and resistance to disease;
Test plantations have been established using progeny of the selected trees. Tree growth on these progeny test sites has been measured at regular intervals;
Seed orchards have been established using parent trees and are producing locally adapted seed for conifer species including Douglas-fir, western hemlock, noble fir, western red cedar, ponderosa pine, grand fir, and incense cedar;
Each year improved seed has been sown for replanting a portion of harvested forest acres;
Seed orchards are managed for seed production, including stimulation techniques to encourage cone production and removal of trees representing progeny that demonstrate slow growth in field tests or show undesirable characteristics (this practice is known as "roguing");
Second generation programs have been initiated in some breeding units with selection and breeding work underway; and
Facilities for cone and seed processing and greenhouses for growing custom tailored lots of many species have been established at the seed orchards.

Proposed Program Direction

The future forest genetics program will be more complex under ecosystem management than under the previous management plans. Improvement of growth and disease resistance will continue as important components of the forest genetics program. Gene conservation and gene resources management issues will receive more emphasis. Gene conservation refers to specific actions taken to conserve the genetic variation of species. The purpose is to maintain the range of natural genetic diversity within the species. Gene management refers to the integration of genetic principles into resource management actions.

The following is a summary of future direction for the forest genetics program:

progeny test sites will be maintained, measurements of growth and other characteristics will continue, and long-term management plans for the sites will be developed;
seed orchards will be maintained and managed to produce seed for ecosystem management projects;
improved stock will be planted on a portion of harvested acres;
tree improvement programs, which have emphasized cooperative efforts for operational programs and research studies with state, private, and other government agencies, will continue;
genetic expertise and genetically appropriate guidelines will be provided for development of ecosystem management projects; and
a forest genetics plan will be prepared, including strategies for gene conservation, maintenance of genetic diversity, and definition of monitoring baselines to quantify existing genetic variation within individual species.

Ecosystem management concepts have challenged the forest genetics program with more issues than were faced in previous forest management plans. The former tree improvement plan must be meshed with the additional needs defined by ecosystem management so that previous gains are maintained and future needs are addressed. Because policy and land use allocations are likely to change over time, a flexible, broad-based forest genetics program will be an essential tool to accomodate changing conditions.