Local seed sourcing for sustainable forestry

Area of Science:

• Forestry science
• Conservation genetics
• Ecology

Background:

• Seed sourcing strategies are fundamental for selecting genetic material suitable for future climate and societal needs.
• Local seed sourcing is promoted for its expected adaptation, but practical limitations exist.
• Existing regulations on forest reproductive material can restrict the use of local sources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze strict-sense and wide-sense local seed sourcing strategies.
• To identify species and genetic pools for 40 species across Spain.
• To assess the richness, use, and availability of approved seed production areas in the EU.

Main Methods:

• Defined strict-sense and wide-sense local seed sourcing strategies.
• Identified species and genetic pools for 40 species and deployment zones in Spain.
• Obtained data on seed sources, stands, and approved production areas in EU countries.

Main Results:

• Confirmed extensive species and genetic local pools, varying in importance by species.
• Identified limitations in the use of forest reproductive material and approved basic materials.
• Found constraints in the availability of seed production areas for local material in certain species.

Conclusions:

• Local seed sourcing strategies are foundational for using forest reproductive material due to regulations.
• Despite approved basic materials, seed production area availability limits local sourcing for sustainable forestry.
• A wide-sense local seed sourcing strategy provides viable alternative pools to meet demands under current marketing regulations.