The State of Forest Genetic Resources in the SEC Region

Forests are among the most important repositories of terrestrial biological diversity. They provide a wide range of products and services to people throughout the world. Forest trees and other plants help support many other organisms, and have developed complex mechanisms to maintain high levels of genetic diversity. This diversity is the fundamental basis for the evolution of forest tree species and for their adaptation to environmental changes. Conserving forest genetic resources is therefore vital, as they are a unique and irreplaceable resource.