3 June 2014: For the first time, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) has conducted a global assessment of forest genetic resources. ‘The State of the World’s Forest Genetic Resources’ is based on reports from 86 countries and encompasses approximately 85% of global forest cover.

The publication includes some 8,000 tree species, however, the total number of species globally is estimated to be at least ten times that number. The report notes that, in fact, only 3% of tree species are actively managed and that less than 1% of tree species have been described at the genetic level. This has led FAO to call for improved data gathering, research and access to species distribution maps. The study also notes that economics drive the prioritization of research, which therefore focuses on species with economic, socio-cultural and environmental or conservation value.

Understanding forest genetic resources is particularly important given the multiple pressures on forests from climate change, over-exploitation and the conversion of lands for other uses, according to the report. Many of these pressures can be tied to a projected 40% increase in demand for energy and wood products over the next 20 years. In addition, among those studies that have been conducted, half of the reported species are threatened. The publication notes that most forest genetic resources are conserved in situ, in wild populations, with the exception of a few species of high economic value or that are highly threatened, for which genetic resources are conserved ex situ.

Managing forest genetic resources enhances productivity and has the potential to support climate change adaptation, while new biotechnology tools are expanding opportunities for further use of forest genetic resources, says the report. However, current policy and institutional frameworks are often ineffective at addressing forest genetic resources issues.

The State of the World’s Forest Genetic Resources complements FAO’s other flagship publications: ‘The State of the World’s Forest Resources;’ ‘Global Forest Resources Assessment;’ ‘State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture;’ and ‘The Second Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.’ [FAO Press Release] [UN Press Release] [Publication: The State of the World’s Forest Genetic Resources]