Tree species of concern in New Brunswick, Canada. II. Guidelines for conservation of genetic resources

• Published in: Forestry chronicle 2007-05, Vol.83 (3), p.402-407
• Main Authors: Loo, J.A, Beardmore, T.L, Simpson, J.D, McPhee, D.A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: disease resistance; Fagus grandifolia; forest trees; genetic resistance; genetic variation; genotype; germplasm; germplasm conservation; habitat destruction; indigenous species; Juglans cinerea; literature reviews; plant communities; plant genetic resources; plant pathogens; Quercus macrocarpa; species differences; species diversity; Ulmus americana
• ISSN: 0015-7546; 1499-9315
• DOI: 10.5558/tfc83402-3

Guidelines were developed by the New Brunswick Forest Gene Conservation Working Group for conserving genetic resources of four native tree species in New Brunswick. Gene conservation guidelines for three of these species aim to maintain sufficient gene pools of known or putatively resistant stock to retain or develop the potential for restoration. Natural populations of American beech (Fagus grandifolia) are known to have genotypes resistant to the beech scale at low frequencies. Gene conservation approaches include in situ and ex situ measures, including resistance breeding. White elm (Ulmus americana) demonstrates a degree of resistance to Dutch elm disease (DED), and will benefit from a mixture of in situ and ex situ conservation measures. Resistance to butternut canker has not yet been demonstrated in populations of butternut (Juglans cinerea), but ex situ conservation of putatively resistant genotypes will be of increasing importance as the frequency of butternut canker escalates. Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), threatened by small population size, habitat loss, and ongoing development, requires primarily in situ conservation and restoration efforts.