Improvement and Conservation of Forest Resources

Biology

To achieve the objectives of the curricular unit and to confer the expected competences to the students, the teaching learning process is based on:

In the study of cases, accompanied by a set of instructions that lead the student to analyze them, draw conclusions and make decisions or suggest actions; in the execution of practical work to apply the theoretical concepts.

Through the above contents the student knows:

Module 1:

– The specificities of forest species, advantages and limitations, as to: 1) vegetative (long) and reproductive (adult phase); 2) the genetic variability of the forest: importance of adaptation, origin and provenance; 3) natural forest ecosystems vs. forest plantations; 4) the difficulty of conservation of genetic resources; 5) the definition of objectives in forest improvement; and 6) the definition of forest improvement programs in a short and long term perspective.

– The specifications of the forest species, regarding: 1) the propagation methods and their use in production and breeding; 2) the type of plant and its relation with the species, the ecosystem, forestry and breeding; 3) the methods of harvesting, processing and conservation of the seed; 4) the pollination techniques and their use in the propagation population and breeding; 5) the care in the establishment and maintenance of propagation populations (seed producing orchards and mother trees park).

– The mycorrhizae the different types and their effect on nutrition and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress conditions. The cultural practices to promote mycorrhization, the soil biome and its relevance in adaptability and conservation of genetic resources.

Module 2:

– The concepts of quantitative genetics and its relation to breeding to be referred to: the different selection methods, heritability; types of genetic variance (additive and non-additive); selection differential; selection index; genetic gain.

– Selection in natural stands and unimproved plantations vs selection in regular stands. The effect of environment and the interaction between genotype and environment.

-The equilibrium properties of populations and the factors affecting the genetic makeup of populations and their effect on breeding. The causes of variation in allele frequencies: a) increased variability through mutation and migration vs b) reduced variability through selection and genetic drift;

Module 3:

-The recognition of strategies in breeding: short term and long term; the identification of breeding intensity; breeding cycles; crossing systems; Progeny tests to evaluate parents; Early tests to anticipate breeding results (relationship between juvenile and adult status);

-The specificity of molecular markers: 1) what are molecular markers vs morphological and biochemical markers; 2) advantages and disadvantages; 3) the nature of DNA markers used to study genetic variation and 4)the desirable properties of markers

– Why, what and how to conserve forest genetic resources? Why – reduced genetic variability due to forest decline, deforestation, climate change, globalization/pests and diseases, new challenges/goals and new products. What. – 1) It involves assessing the variability that exists between and within populations. 2) Conserve the greatest variability. 3) The various strategies for the conservation of genetic resources; the Multiple Populations Improvement System. The conservation of subpopulations spread across the species’ range and with slightly different selection criteria (increased variance among subpopulations). How to conserve? Conservation methods: In situ conservation (in the natural habitat and dynamically) and ex situ conservation (germplasm banks; clonal banks; in vitro, artificial seeds and cryoconservation, in liquid N).

As a learning outcome, the student: Knows the advantages and limitations of forest breeding. Knows the methods of plant propagation, their relationship to species and use in breeding. Knows the relevance of the biome at the soil level, in particular mycorrhizae in resource conservation and breeding. Recognizes that the response to selection is a function of genetic control, selection methods and environment. Knows methods and techniques used in forest improvement. Knows the molecular basis of heredity and the advantages vs. restrictions of molecular markers. Recognizes the importance of management and conservation of forest genetic resources.

Module 1:

Breeding and the particularity of forest species: forestry vs agriculture.

The methods of plant propagation (seminal vs. vegetative), the type of plant (root ball vs. bare root) and its relation to species, forestry, and breeding. The biome at the soil level, mycorrhizae and their relevance to nutrition, health, tolerance to stress conditions and the production and conservation of forest resources.

Module 2:

Quantitative Genetics: the quantitative traits and their use in forest improvement. Selection methods, heritability, and genetic gain. The effect of environment and the interaction between genotype and environment.

Factors influencing evolution and genetic variability in populations: natural selection, genetic drift, mutations and migration or gene flow.

Module 3:

The definition of strategy in breeding: breeding cycles; crossing systems; progeny testing and early testing. Study of genetic diversity, molecular markers.

Study of variability in forest species – its use in breeding and implications for conservation and long term improvement. Conservation and management of forest genetic resources.

• - Realização de minitestes teórico/práticos - 80.0%
• - Elaboração, apresentação e discussão de trabalhos - 20.0%

NAO

Collard, B.; Jahufer, M.; Brouwer, J.; Pang, E. 2005 An introduction to markers, quantitative trait loci (QTL), mapping and markerassisted selection for crop improvement: The basic concepts. Euphytica 142, 169196.

Commission of Forest Genetic Resources. 2001. Forest Genetic Resources Management and Conservation. France as a case study. INRA, Paris, E. Teissier Cros (ed.)

Eriksson, G.; Ekberg, I; Clapham, D. 2006 An introduction to forest genetics. SLU. http://vaxt.vbsg.slu.se/forgen/, Uppsala.

National Research Council, 1991. Managing Global Genetic Resources. Forest Trees. National Academy Press, Washington

White, T.L.; Adams, W.T.; Neale, D.B. 2007 Forest Genetics. CAB Internacional Oxfordshire

Zobel, B., & Talbert, J. (2003). Applied Forest Tree Improvement: Blackburn Press.