UK Forest Genetic Resources Group
The UK Forest Genetic Resources Group provides advice and shares knowledge related to selection and supply of tree species, and management of forest genetic resources, to deliver resilient treescapes across the UK.
Role of the group
The group provides oversight, facilitates information exchange and delivers technical advice and co-ordination of activities related to forest genetic resources, and future species selection and supply. This work informs and supports delivery of resilient woodlands and forests across the UK.
Scope of the group
Areas of focus for the group include:
- identification of priority species for planting across the UK
- species and progeny trials
- tree and seed supply
- tree improvement
- activities related to the genetic diversity of UK forests,
- approaches to gene conservation, such as in situ (on-site) and ex situ (off-site) methods
The group’s secretariat serves as a national focal point on FGR for the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) Global Plan of Action on forest genetic resources. The group will liaise with related international activities and groups such as the European Forest Genetic Resources Programme (EUFORGEN).
The group considers tree species used for woodland creation and wider planting of trees outside woods. It does not consider urban forest, park or garden planting. It seeks to enhance all aspects of forestry, including:
- timber production
- ecological benefits
- resilience to stresses such as pests, diseases and climate change
- the wider benefits to society
Structure of the group
The group is made up of a small steering group supported by 2 specialist technical groups. These are the:
- Species Prioritisation and Supply Technical Group
- Genetics Technical Group
Specific task and finish groups may be established at any point to deliver defined activities.
The group will report on its activities to the UK Forestry Governance Group (FGG). It may bring information or technical advice to the attention of FGG.
Steering Group
The Steering Group will:
- co-ordinate and guide the group’s activities
- act as the UK’s formal advisory group on FGR, supporting participation in the FAO Global Plan of Action
- oversee UK involvement in EUFORGEN
- meet at least 3 times each year
The group’s secretariat is provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Forestry Commission.
Membership of the Steering Group
Chair: Geraint Richards – Head Forester, Duchy of Cornwall and Duchy of Lancaster
Secretariat: Clare Trivedi – Defra and Mark Broadmeadow – Forestry Commission
- Chair of Genetics Technical Group
- Chair of Species Prioritisation and Supply Technical Group
- Confor
- Defra Trees and Forestry team
- Defra Tree Health
- Forestry Commission
- Forest Research
- Natural England
- Northern Ireland
- Natural Resource Wales (NRW)
- Nature Scot
- Scottish Forestry
- Welsh Government
- Woodland Trust
Species Prioritisation and Supply Technical Group
Trees, woodlands and forestry face growing threats, such as pests and diseases and climate change. In response, governments and the forestry sector are working to understand what types of tree planting material are needed to create resilient treescapes, and how to supply such material for planting.
Role of the group
This technical group will:
- inform, advise and facilitate information exchange across organisations and countries on tree species prioritisation, seed and vegetative material sourcing and supply, and sapling production and supply
- share information to identify and prioritise future tree species, noting that different species will be required for different planting objectives and regions of the UK
- facilitate communication and knowledge exchange to the wider forestry sector on species prioritisation and seed and sapling supply
Membership of the Species Prioritisation and Supply Technical Group
Chair: Chris Hardy – Forest Research
Membership of the group is open to individual experts with relevant technical expertise and those representing organisations. Membership of the group is not fixed. Regular attendees of the group include:
- Confor Nurseries Producers Group
- Defra
- Forestry and Land Scotland
- Forestry Commission
- Forestry England
- Forestart
- Forest Reproductive Materials team (UK remit)
- Forest Research
- Future Trees Trust
- Martin Glyn Associates
- Natural Resources Wales
- Scottish Forestry
- The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
- Welsh Government
- Woodland Trust
Genetics Technical Group
UK woodlands and trees need genetic diversity, both between and within species, to meet current and future environmental and societal challenges. Protecting genetic diversity within species helps trees survive, adapt and evolve under changing conditions. It also keeps options open for future tree breeding.
This group builds on earlier work to strengthen collaboration in FGR, including the National Tree Improvement Strategy and the Strategy for UK Forest Genetic Diversity.
Role of the group
This technical group will:
- inform, advise and facilitate information exchange across organisations and countries on activities related to the understanding, conservation and use of UK forest genetic diversity
- share information and knowledge from studies of the genetic structure and behaviour of tree populations and research into the genetic basis of traits
- share information on tree improvement activities for forestry species, and activities to develop and make accessible seed banks, clone banks, gene conservation units and other approaches to conserving forest genetic resources
- provide a forum for sharing EUFORGEN and FAO activities and discussing UK engagement with these
- facilitate communication and knowledge exchange to the wider forestry sector on topics relating to understanding, conservation and use of forest genetic diversity
Membership of the Genetics Technical Group
Chair: Stephen Cavers – Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
Secretariat: Ollie Stocks – Future Trees Trust
Membership of the group is open to individual experts with relevant technical expertise and those representing organisations. Membership of the group is not fixed. Regular attendees of the group include :
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
- Confor
- Confor and the Confor Nursery Producers Group
- Conifer Breeding Co-op
- Defra
- Forest Reproductive Materials team (UK remit)
- Forest Research
- Forestart
- Forestry Commission
- Forestry England
- Future Trees Trust
- National Trust
- Natural Resources Wales
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
- Scottish Government
- The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
- University of Birmingham
- Welsh Government
- Woodland Trust
Resources
Reports and guidance linked to the work of this group.
Forest Reproductive Materials regulations and guidance:
Marketing forest reproductive material for forestry purposes