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Current genetic conservation activities in situ and ex situ
In situ
Passive gene conservation of oaks and beech populations in situ takes the form of state
reserves. The gene reserves (bases) are considered as an active way of gene conservation
and reproduction. Gene reserves are groups of stands with a minimum surface area of
100 ha of forest land. Regeneration is usually natural. If natural regeneration is not
successful, it is possible to use artificial reproductive material but only with origins from
these gene reserves. Suggestions for management methods in gene reserves are elaborated
by the Institute.
Ex situ
The most important activities on ex situ gene conservation are grafting and establishment of
clonal archives and seed orchards. This method is not used often for oak propagation,
because of incompatibility problems. Only one seed orchard has been established and no
others are planned. This method of conservation is more important for beech. We
established clonal archives of beech from the seven forest vegetation belts only in the most
polluted areas (Ore Mountains). Another method of ex situ conservation is the establishment
of special plantations for obtaining secondary cuttings. Genebanks are used within the
existing seed banks and tissue culture banks.
Relevant nature protection policies and activities
In 1992, a Law on Nature Protection was issued, and later in 1995 a new Forest Law (No.
289). Both aim to conserve the remaining natural forest tree genepool.
nee-improvement activities
Tree-improvement activities are carried out on the basis of provenance tests. Practical
implications of the provenance tests include rules for effective transfer of reproductive
material, delimitation of seed zones, preparation and implementation of breeding
programmes including different methods of vegetative reproduction (grafting, cuttings and
in vitro methods).
Use of reproductive material
In the Czech Republic it is allowed to use reproductive material of spruce, pine and larch
only from approved sources (approved seed stands, seed orchards, clonal archives). For all
forest trees (including oaks and beech) a rule regarding the limitation of vertical transport of
reproductive material is in force. This limit is plus or minus one forest vegetation belt (FVB).
Beech origins from the seven FVBs are suggested as special climatic ecotypes.
The proposed seed zones for oaks and beech (also for beech originating from the seven
FVBs) have not been approved yet.
Import of reproductive material of all forest tree species (including oaks and beech) from
foreign countries is regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture. The Ministry also defined the
areas where this reproductive material can be used.
Institutions involved in genetic resources activities
Most of the work is done by the Forestry and Game Management Research Institute. The
central seed bank is managed by the state forest company and situated in the town TyniSten,
Orlici. Both Forestry faculties (University Bmo and University Prague), the Academy of
Science and the other state and private institutes and organizations are concerned with the
problems of oaks and beech genetic resources to a limited extent. The Ministry of
Environment and its organizations are interested in the conservation of oaks and beech in
state nature reserves and national parks.