Expected outcomes

The overall goal of Gentree is to improve the conservation and use of forest genetic resources (FGR) for the sustainable management of forests in Europe. Outcomes are intermediate achievements and consist in changes in current practices and behaviors of stakeholders, as a result of the project activities and dissemination of outputs.

• Recommendations are formulated to update the pan-European conservation efforts coordinated by EUFORGEN and its information system (EUFGIS)
• Dynamic management of FGR is enhanced using decision support tools
• Forest reproductive material (FRM) is better used in intensive advanced breeding programmes
• Knowledge and education on the drivers of forest trees genetic and phenotypic trait diversity are improved
• Databases of genes, traits and environmental data of importance to FGR conservation and use in Europe are available, openly accessible and widely used
• High-throughput phenotypic and genotypic assessment tools are adapted to practitioners
• A user-friendly modelling platform that combine demographic, genetic and ecophysiological processes for testing the effects of various and novel management scenarios is used by relevant stakeholder
• Recommendations on forest-related policy frameworks relevant to FGR conservation and use are formulated and supported by relevant stakeholders
• New science-policy support tools are adopted
  
  

The long-term impact of the GenTree  can be monitored in the long-term through the following indicators:

• The number of in-situ conservation units and ex-situ collections increases in the EUFGIS information system
• FGR from marginal forests are included in in-situ and ex-situ national conservation schemes, in breeding schemes and FRM deployment
• Trend in use of new generation breeding material in FRM and in forest plantation using new generations of improved material
• Trend in registration of new FRM in national catalogues
• Forest monitoring schemes include FGR-relevant data
• Teaching of the importance of genetic adaptation increases in the curriculum of professional forest schools
• Forest companies hire staff with an understanding of the importance of FGR for sustainable management
• Data from the project are used by scientists, managers and agencies across Europe to improve in-situ and ex-situ monitoring schemes
• Further legislation considering the importance of FGR in forest management is passed at EU and national levels
• National forest management plans and biodiversity conservation initiatives better include FGR and new deployed FRM.