PART I THE SITUATION AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FOREST SECTOR (GMOs) have become the target of an intensive and, at times, emotionally charged debate. while this attention has mainly focused on the crop sector, the debate is now entering forest Modern biotechnologies and forestry Genetic modification of forest tree species using recombinant DNa techniques has been contemplated for addressing traits such as virus resistance, insect resistance, lignin content and Modem biotechnologies currently used in forestry fall into these traits into a new transgenic species ls o herbicide tolerance. Insertion of genes governing three broad categories Biotechnologies based on molecular markers which can substantial undertaking. The major limiting factor be used, inter alia, to: i) quantify genetic diversity among at present is the low level of knowledge regarding populations and individual trees; ii) identify genotypes in the molecular control of traits. This is particularly taxonomic studies, biological studies and "genetic finger- important for traits governed by an array of printing" and il) locate genes affecting quantitative traits genes, as is the case for the characteristic of economic importand interest for production forestry, for example Technologies that enhance vegetative propagation and growth rate, adaptability and stem and wood support large-scale production of uniform materials. Tissue quality culture of plants under laboratory conditions can also be There has been no reported commercial used to select traits such as disease resistance and toler production of transgenic forest trees, although 116 ance of herbicides, metals, salt and low temperatures field trials, in 17 countries and involving 24 tree Micropropagation is already used in crop and horticultural species, have been reported (Owusu, 1999). It is ecies, and techniques exist for its application in a num- acknowledged that biosafety aspects of genetically ber of forest tree species. High costs are currently an modified trees need careful consideration. impediment to the direct use of micropropagated material especially because of the long generation time of in forestry programmes trees and the potential for the dispersal of pollen Genetic modification of forest trees. The term genetically and seed over long distances. modified organism( GMO) generally refers to an organ- While the application of new biotechnologies in ism into which genetic material from other organisms has he forest sector offers interesting opportunities, been introduced especially for genetic conservation and increased production of wood and other forest products, a cautious case-by-case approach is necessary when integrating these new tools into long-term conservation in many locations. Elsewhere, wood conservation and breeding programmes. Many issues need to be evaluated more extensively. following discussion focuses on plantations for including their added value compared with that timber production. (See Part IL, The status of offered by existing conventional breeding methods: forests: the Global Forests Resources Assessment their cost; the level of capacity building and 2000. for information on the area of forest resources required to use and maintain them; their plantations worldwide in 2000. The role of forest potential impact on human health and the plantations in sustainable forest management has environment; existing regulatory and legal been the subject of considerable attention.One considerations at both the national and reason for this is that future increases in demand international levels; and consumers' preferences For example, at the International Experts Meeting on the Role Establishment of forest plantations of Planted Forests in Su management, held in Forest plantations can fulfil a number of functions. Santiago, Chile, 6-10 April 1999. Sponsored by the Plantations have been established for Governments of Chile. Denmark. India, New Zealand and Poland, this meeting provided input to the Intergovernmental environmental rehabilitation and for soil and water Forum on Forests(IFFPART I THE SITUATION AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FOREST SECTOR 7 (GMOs) have become the target of an intensive and, at times, emotionally charged debate. While this attention has mainly focused on the crop sector, the debate is now entering forestry. Genetic modification of forest tree species using recombinant DNA techniques has been contemplated for addressing traits such as virus resistance, insect resistance, lignin content and herbicide tolerance. Insertion of genes governing these traits into a new transgenic species is a substantial undertaking. The major limiting factor at present is the low level of knowledge regarding the molecular control of traits. This is particularly important for traits governed by an array of genes, as is the case for the characteristics of most interest for production forestry, for example growth rate, adaptability and stem and wood quality. There has been no reported commercial production of transgenic forest trees, although 116 field trials, in 17 countries and involving 24 tree species, have been reported (Owusu, 1999). It is acknowledged that biosafety aspects of genetically modified trees need careful consideration, especially because of the long generation time of trees and the potential for the dispersal of pollen and seed over long distances. While the application of new biotechnologies in the forest sector offers interesting opportunities, especially for genetic conservation and increased production of wood and other forest products, a cautious case-by-case approach is necessary when integrating these new tools into long-term conservation and breeding programmes. Many issues need to be evaluated more extensively, including their added value compared with that offered by existing conventional breeding methods; their cost; the level of capacity building and resources required to use and maintain them; their potential impact on human health and the environment; existing regulatory and legal considerations at both the national and international levels; and consumers’ preferences. Establishment of forest plantations Forest plantations can fulfil a number of functions. Plantations have been established for environmental rehabilitation and for soil and water Modern biotechnologies currently used in forestry fall into three broad categories: •Biotechnologies based on molecular markers which can be used, inter alia, to: i) quantify genetic diversity among populations and individual trees; ii) identify genotypes in taxonomic studies, biological studies and “genetic finger￾printing”; and iii) locate genes affecting quantitative traits of economic importance. •Technologies that enhance vegetative propagation and support large-scale production of uniform materials. Tissue culture of plants under laboratory conditions can also be used to select traits such as disease resistance and toler￾ance of herbicides, metals, salt and low temperatures. Micropropagation is already used in crop and horticultural species, and techniques exist for its application in a num￾ber of forest tree species. High costs are currently an impediment to the direct use of micropropagated material in forestry programmes. •Genetic modification of forest trees. The term genetically modified organism (GMO) generally refers to an organ￾ism into which genetic material from other organisms has been introduced. BOX 3 Modern biotechnologies and forestry conservation in many locations. Elsewhere, wood production has been the overriding objective. The following discussion focuses on plantations for timber production. (See Part II, The status of forests: the Global Forests Resources Assessment 2000, for information on the area of forest plantations worldwide in 2000.) The role of forest plantations in sustainable forest management has been the subject of considerable attention.4 One reason for this is that future increases in demand 4 For example, at the International Experts Meeting on the Role of Planted Forests in Sustainable Forest Management, held in Santiago, Chile, 6-10 April 1999. Sponsored by the Governments of Chile, Denmark, India, New Zealand and Poland, this meeting provided input to the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF)