Forest Genetic Resources Conservation and Management

Description

Forest genetic resources are the heritable materials within and among tree species and other woody plants. Forest genetic resources underpin the adaptive potential that has enabled trees to be, in evolutionary terms, among the planet’s most successful types of organism. The practice of genetic conservation is not intended to conserve every genetic variant (or “genotype”) – indeed, this would be impossible because individuals of sexually reproducing species are genetically unique. Rather, the aim is to conserve the evolutionary potential of species, which means ensuring the continuation and functioning of the processes that shape and maintain genetic diversity. It allows trees and shrubs to react against changes in the environment, including those brought about by pests, diseases and climatic change. It provides the building blocks for future evolution, selection and human use in breeding for a wide range of sites and uses. And, at different levels, it supports the aesthetic, ethical and spiritual values of humans. Forest resources conservation and management contains selected papers of renowned professors, academicians, researchers and scientists of different parts of India and abroad linked with various issues and dimensions of forest resources and its conservation and management. This book is expected to benefit the researchers, general readers and policy makers for policy implication.