EU-FAIR: Biodiversity in Alpine Forest Ecosystems

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Within the FAIR-program (Agriculture and Fisheries) of the European Union, this project adresses biodiversity in terms of genetic diversity within and between carrier species of Alpine forest ecosystems. It will create a novel data pool in order to better understand the function and dynamics of ecosystems and to tansfer results into practice. By this, our project will also help to implement the Strasbourg/Rio/Helsinki processes in conservation of biodiversity in forest ecosystems.
Alpine forest ecosystems are increasingly threatened by environmental changes and are modified by forest management and land-use. Genetic diversity plays a major role in the sensitivity, stability and dynamics of ecosystems, because it determi-nes the adaptive potential of species to changing environments. Until now there is a lack of genetic inventories in Alpine ecosystems. Our project focuses on carrier tree species in high elevated regions, i. e. habitats with high priority in preservation. Species are Abies alba, Larix decidua, Picea abies, Pinus cembra, and Pinus mugo. Species will be studied simultaneously along elevetional transects up to the timberline at 15 locations throughout the Alps. Work is subdivided into three packages:

1 Sampling and monitoring

Assessment of diversity within species (intra- and interpopoulational) and among species by means of isoenzymes, DNA-markers and metric traits. Populations are adult stands, natural/artificial regeneration, provenance and other field trials, commercial reproductive material.

2 Analysis and modelling

Quantification of biodiversity incl. metric traits and genetic resources; prediction of dynamics with respect to reproduction, response to stress, adapation and high risk situations following genetic erosion and inbreeding.

3 Validation and exploitation of results

Novel data base for interdisciplinary characterization of high elevated ecosystems (ecological base for sustainable development); evaluation methods for genetic resources and genetic certification; genetic criteria for conservation and restoration of high elevated forest ecosystems, sustainable forest management; genetically improved reproductive material for afforestation.

4 Coordination and diffusion

The main objective is to establish standard principles for the choice of populations and sampling, genotyping, compilation of data, analysis, validation, and exploitation of results, and to propose a common data structure of European dimension.

Key words: biodiversity, genetic variation, geographic differentiation, adaptation, conservation, forest reproductive material, afforestation, sustainable management.