Training course: "Conservation of forest genetic resources", 10-11Sept 2025, Poland

The conservation of forest genetic diversity is necessary to ensure the continuity of fundamental ecological processes, the sustainability of forest management and the utilisation of ecological systems, the restoration of forests on degraded habitats, the strengthening of natural resilience of stands and communities, and the conservation of genetic diversity for future generations.

Specific topics of the course will be:

• Nature of genetic diversity – example of genetic differentiation between different populations of the same species and the specific variability within populations that results from population adaptation to specific environmental conditions over many generations.
• Methods of conserving genetic resources – with practical examples, including all measures to maintain genetic variability within and between populations.
• Conservation stand – a forest stand selected with a view to preserving its gene pool and specific characteristics.
• Conservation plantation – a forest area created by natural or artificial regeneration of a conservation stand.
• Conservation area in situ – a forest stand and its progeny from natural or artificial regeneration within the area where the population selected for the conservation of its genetic resources occurs.
• Conservation area ex situ – a forest stand established outside the natural range of the population concerned in order to protect it from endangerment.
• Forest Gene Bank – introduction to FGB in Kostrzyca.

Additional information:

• Participation in the workshop is free of charge.
• Participants must cover their own travel, accommodation, and lunch costs.
• Coffee breaks and dinner will be organised by the hosts.
• Registrations are possible until 5 September.

Location:

• Theoretical part: Forest Research Institute campus in Sękocin Stary (Warsaw)
• Practical part: Forest in Bliżyn