Document Type
Article
Department or Administrative Unit
Biological Sciences
Publication Date
2003
Abstract
Deforestation rates in México are about 670,000 ha/year. This threatens the richness of forest genetic resources in México, causing the disappearance of locally adapted populations and rare and endangered pine species. México is one of the six megadiverse countries in the world, with half of the world’s Pinus species. Pinus is one of the most economically and ecologically important forest genera in México. We suggest that delineation of seed zones and the establishment of a network of Forest Genetic Resource Conservation Units (FGRCUs), linked with forest management and ecological restoration programs will protect this valuable resource. We estimate that FGRCUs should include 25 to 50 ha each, with at least one FGRCU for each priority species in each seed zone. We highlight the need for studies of adaptive genetic variation among pine populations and for new methodologies and techniques to suit ecological restoration under Mexican forest conditions. We briefly describe ongoing research on these topics on forests owned by a well-organized indigenous community in Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro, Michoacán, western México.
Recommended Citation
Sáenz-Romero, C., Snively, A. E., & Lindig-Cisneros, R. (2003). Conservation and Restoration of Pine Forest Genetic Resources in México. Silvae Genetica, 52(5-6), 223-237.
Journal
Silvae Genetica
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Included in
Biodiversity Commons, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, Environmental Health and Protection Commons, Forest Sciences Commons, Genetics Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons
Comments
This article was originally published in Silvae Genetica. The full-text article from the publisher can be found here.