| Concerted reforestation
efforts in British Columbia began in the 1950s and at that time there was the
realization that, like our crop species, forest trees could benefit from some
selection of the more desirable individuals from the wild. A tree breeding and
improvement program began to reduce plantation failures and realize economic
gains in tree growth and quality. Today, managing and conserving forest genetic
resources is an essential component of forest stewardship and of a globally
competitive forest industry. The Ministry of Forests and Range (MoFR) Forest
Genetics research program has broadened its scope to include activities related
to gene conservation management and climate-change impacts.
The MoFR research program in
forest genetics and tree breeding is significant in Canada, and attracts
national and international interest due to its long history and multitude of
species under development and management. The Forest Genetics program is
structured into four areas: |
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Tree Breeding
and Genetic Improvement—Traditional
selection, testing and breeding of native tree species.
-
Gene
Conservation—Undertaking
both theoretical research and practical applications to maintain adaptive
genetic variation in various types of forest tree populations.
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Seed Transfer and Climate Change—Conducting
genecology research—the study of the relationships between patterns of
adaptive genetic variation and ecological variation—to help refine Seed
Transfer Guidelines, and assess and adapt to the impacts of
climate change.
-
Supporting research projects—These
projects assist with the delivery and application of genetically improved
material (e.g.,
physiology,
genetic worth, and timber supply),
better testing approaches (e.g., improving efficiency), technical
developments in the area (e.g., biotechnology), and other important issues
(e.g.,
seed and cone pest
concerns).
The Forest Genetics Section
operates two
Research Stations
located at Cowichan Lake (Vancouver Island) and Kalamalka Lake (Vernon), and a
Research Laboratory at Victoria. Forest Genetics staff currently consists of a
team of 13 research scientists, a research station manager, and 21 technical and
administrative staff based at Research Branch Victoria headquarters, the
Laboratory, and the two Research Stations.
Forest genetics research is
supporting MoFR initiatives such as: developing climate models for analyzing
gene conservation strategies and seed planting zones across space and time under
future climate-change scenarios in support of the
Future Forest Ecosystems
Initiative;
implementing the
Forest and Range Practices Act
through development of the Chief Forester’s Standards for Seed Use; improving
the accuracy of Timber Supply Analysis by building genetic worth into stand
development models; and assessing potential resistance breeding to various pests
and diseases.
- Established a
provincially mandated cone and seed pest research program, including an
office, laboratory, and five research projects. These projects are highly
collaborative in nature, and represent the first dedicated seed and cone
pest research program in British Columbia.
More
- Forest Tree Genetic
Resource Conservation and Management Challenge Dialogue,
Co-chair—Facilitating a dialogue with stakeholders to create a collective
vision and strategy for genetic resource conservation and management to
support sustainable forest management in British Columbia, congruent to the
range of values outlined in the Provincial Chief Forester’s Sustainable
Forest Management framework.
More
- Initiated a new study to
develop western redcedar seedlings that are more resistant to deer browsing.
Plant secondary metabolites, such as monoterpenes, have been demonstrated to
affect deer preference. This research has significant reforestation
implications, perhaps leading to the prevention of delayed regeneration,
reduced plantation failures and reduced economic and environmental costs of
protection.
- Recent work has shown
there is significant genetic variation of traits related to resistance to
the mountain pine beetle.
We play an active role in the
Forest Genetics Council of B.C.
(FGC) and collaborate
with various agencies such as the MoFR,
Tree Improvement Branch,
the agency responsible for seed use related policy, planning and registration,
and the
Provincial Tree Seed Centre
at Surrey, B.C. The FGC
facilitates
communication and
co-ordination among the various activities and agencies involved in tree
breeding, gene conservation, seed orchard development, and policy development in
British Columbia. Our primary means of delivering improved planting stock for
reforestation is via seed orchards currently owned and operated by several
industry co-operators and by the MoFR,
Tree
Improvement Branch.
Ministry contact: Alvin Yanchuk
Please direct questions regarding webpage to For.Prodres@gov.bc.ca
Updated October 2007 |
