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FAO has announced publication of the first State of the World's Forest Genetic Resources, linked to the Global Plan of Action for Forest Genetic Resources. Key messages of the State report are:
- Access to information and knowledge on FGR needs to be improved
- Economic value is the main factor in setting management priorities
- Half of the forest species reported by countries are threatened
- 8,000 forest species are used and one-third of them actively managed
- Species distribution maps are vital, but rarely available
- Most species are conserved in situ, in naturally regenerated and planted forests
- Effective ex situ conservation programmes are restricted to limited species and populations
- Tree improvement greatly enhances productivity and offers potential for adaptation to changing climate
- Emerging technology opens new avenues in FGR management and conservation
- Policies and institutional frameworks are insufficient
And what needs to be done:
- Improve the availability of, and access to, information on FGR
- Enhance in situ and ex situ conservation of FGR
- Improve sustainable use and management of FGR
- Strengthen policies and institutional capacity
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