Tree Improvement Branch

Implementation of the activities of the Gene Conservation sub-program is the responsibility of the Centre for Gene Conservation at the University of British Columbia. Goals and priorities are set through the Gene Conservation Technical Advisory Committee (GCTAC) that reports to the Forest Genetics Council (FGC). Projects involve collaboration, cooperation and contracts with government agencies, industry and contractors. For further information on the Centre for Gene Conservation please go to (http://genetics.forestry.ubc.ca/cfgc). If you wish more information on this sub-program please contact Cheri Tayler at (250) 652-5600 ext. 2225 or at Cheri.Tayler@gov.bc.ca.

The Centre for Forest Gene Conservation at the University of British Columbia

Introduction

Just as forest management and resource use requires balance through an active conservation program, tree improvement requires a gene conservation program to ensure the stewardship of genetic resources for future generations and provide raw material for the adaptation of species to future enviromental conditions. Gene conservation is an integral part of the Forest Genetics Council business plan, but needs a mechanism by which to evaluate the degree of protection of forest genetic resources in British Columbia and to receive recommendations on necessary steps to further protect genetic diversity. The focus of this program, supported by the Council, is on woody plants generally, and tree species in particular, and Council should recognizes and supports in principle the importance of gene conservation for other taxonomic groups affected by forest practices. An evaluation of gene conservation of forest tree species includes: 1) the evaluation of population genetic structure using existing or new data; 2) the current degree of protection of genetic structure and diversity both in situ in existing reserves and ex situ collections; and 3) the need for additional protection. It also includes an objective evaluation of the current degree of maintenance of genetic diversity in breeding and deployment populations of improved varieties to meet current and future environmental challenges.

Objectives for a Forest Gene Conservation Program

The Gene Conservation Technical Advisory Committee of the Forest Genetics Council has identified the following objectives for a gene conservation program:

Organization and Staffing

The University of British Columbia currently houses one of the largest forest genetics programs in North America, with facilities including the Genetic Data Centre. It is also home to strong programs in conservation biology, including the Centre for Applied Conservation Biology in the Faculty of Forestry, and the Centre for Biodiversity Research in the Faculty of Science. The Department of Zoology is also home to several world-class theoretical and experimental geneticists.

The Forest Gene Conservation Centre (FGCC) has been established in the Department of Forest Sciences that will bring together expertise on forest genetics and conservation to help to develop gene conservation strategies and issues, help evaluate the needed and current levels of protection of genetic diversity and carry out fundamental research on genetic variation and diversity that will otherwise not occur. With support from the Forest Genetics Council, the FGCC will greatly assist with the needs of the province in the area of forest gene conservation. We will also create a program that will leverage funding from other sources to expand expertise and program depth.

Dr. Sally Aitken, currently NSERC/Industry Junior Chair in Population Genetics and a full-time faculty member, serves as Director. Individuals associated with the Centre will include both regular and adjunct faculty members from both the Faculty of Forestry and the Faculty of Sciences. Key faculty members in the Department of Forest Sciences include Kermit Ritland (professor), Gene Namkoong (Professor Emeritus), Alvin Yanchuk (Adjunct), Yousry El-Kassaby (Professor, part-time), John Barker (Chair in Silviculture) and Carol Ritland (Director, Genetic Data Centre). Additional colleagues in the Department of Forest Sciences and the Centre for Applied Conservation Biology working in related areas include Peter Arcese (Chair in Conservation Biology), Kathy Martin (Canadian Wildlife Service and UBC), Susan Glenn (UBC), Scott Hinch (UBC), and John Richardson (MoWLAP and UBC). Faculty members from the Department of Zoology working in related areas include Jamie Smith and Rick Taylor (Centre for Biodiversity Research) and Dolph Schluter, Sarah Otto and Michael Whitlock (theoretical and empirical evolutionary biologists). Jeannette Whitton, a molecular systematist from the Department of Botany, and Joerg Bolhmann, a molecular biologist jointly appointed between Forest Sciences and the Biotechnology program are additional, potential associates. This structure will ensure close ties and good communication with the Genetic Data Centre, Centre for Applied Conservation Biology, and Centre for Biodiversity Research.

A PhD-level Research Associate has been hired as a full-time staff member to provide organizational and scientific support, manage day-to-day activities, and conduct a portion of the projects. Specific projects are being conducted or supported by graduate students, technicians or outside contractors or organizations, where appropriate.

The Gene Conservation Technical Advisory Committee (GCTAC) of the Forest Genetics Council acts as a steering committee for business, funding and management decisions related to the Forest Investment Account component of Centre funding. They would receive and review financial and semi-annual reports, monitor progress towards FGC objectives, and submit recommendations on funding to the Forest Genetics Council. The GCTAC also participates in staffing decisions where FIA funds are supporting. The Forest Genetics Council appoints the GCTAC, with representatives from the forest industry, the provincial government, universities and other agencies at the discretion of the Forest Genetics Council.

A Scientific Advisory Panel serves as an advisory body and provide linkages to organizations and agencies that affect and are affected by genetic resource management, with representatives from Government (MoF, MoWLAP, MoSRM), university, industry, non-profit conservation organizations and international agencies, chosen at the discretion of the Centre staff and UBC associates. Representatives from all major regions of British Columbia (coastal, southern interior and northern interior) are included to avoid a geographic bias to projects. The Panel advises Centre staff on broader technical issues and strategic directions not currently identified within the FGC conservation goals (e.g., theoretical issues, international initiatives, etc.), and provides review of reports and project working plans.

Figure 1. Funding, Business Plan approval and reporting structure for the UBC Forest

Gene Conservation Centre

Reporting

The FGCC submits semi-annual reports to the Forest Genetics Council on Centre activities funded by FIA funds, including progress on ongoing projects and proposals for new projects. These reports are reviewed and approved by the GCTAC. The Centre holds meetings annually or as needed to report on progress to the GCTAC, Council members and other interested parties. Individual project reports are completed semi-annually (as part of an annual report), with a final report produced at the conclusion of each project. Financial and performance management reporting are performed quarterly to meet Forest Investment Account's requirements. Reporting on funds from organizations other than Forest Investment Account are conducted according to the standards of the supporting organization. The Scientific Advisory Panel meets annually to review and discuss scientific progress on all projects (FIA funded and others) and to recommend new directions or projects for the Centre. Recommendations for gene conservation actions are made directly to appropriate agencies, with follow-up by the Centre to ensure that recommendations were received and considered. Scientific papers are published in peer-reviewed journals on appropriate projects, but project reports are written in style that is accessible to non-geneticists.

Funding Options

Funding for this program is provided by the Forest Investment Account through the Ministry of Forests Provincial Tree Improvement Program. Funds are delivered to UBC through a contribution agreement between MoF and UBC. The funding is programmatic and not individual project-based, which allows for the application of additional leverage for projects within the program. Approval from Council via recommendations from the GCTAC is required for the annual release of funds based on progress to date and proposed activities. This provides Council with control over the program and assurance that Council objectives are being met. While all funding would flow to UBC from FIA, significant proportions of specific gene conservation activities are subcontracted out to other organizations or non-UBC individuals.

Other Sources of Funding

Matching funds are being sought from programs such as the NSERC/CFS/Industry Forest Research Partnerships Program to leverage Forest Investment Account funding and expand the scope of work of the Centre. Funding is packaged in a manner that is acceptable for leveraging with these programs. Industry contributions are being sought for specific activities relating to individual organizations, for example, assisting individual companies with genetic aspects of forest product certification. International sources of funding can be sought to address gene conservation issues outside of Canada.