The progress in realisation of gene conservation of Spruce ( Picea abies Karst.) in Poland was presented step by step at the EUFORGEN meetings in Stara Leśna (Slovakia) and in Hyytiala (Finland). Information presented below refer only to the last one and a half year, that is why the progress in realisation of this programme is not so high.

Implementing our genetic diversity conservation programme of the forest tree species for the State Forest, we put attention on the forests belong to the National Parks. It is only one additional gene base which can be used for these purposes. Third important group of the Polish forests belong to the private peoples. But as we know private forests are the least valuable group for the gene conservation works.

To the National Parks belong only ca. 2% of the forest land in Poland. But in fact they are covered the most interesting and valuable parts of natural ranges of different species (also Spruce). As famous populations, represented for example in IUFRO 1972 experiment, as Tarnawa Zwierzyniec Lubelski, Zwierzyniec Białowieski, Orawa and other, are located in different National Parks. Many times was emphasised, that for full conservation of genetic resources of Spruce, these populations have to be included into gene conservation. The scientists from the National Park initiate works in that field. The „Programme of genes conservation" existing for the State Forests was adapted for the National Parks conditions, but general ideas and methods chosen for gene conservation of forest trees species are the same.

For estimation the threats and priority of action special method of classifications on the level of genotypes, populations, species and communities was prepared.

Main modification of the programme of gene conservation is connected with existing regulation refer to protected area in Poland, particularly in the strict protected areas:

- In the strict protected areas of the National Parks only in situ conservation can be used for gene conservation.

- This method is useful for populations and communities living in areas where dynamic stability exist. In situations where is lack of balance and where it is not passable to undertake any action only ex situ conservation of genotypes, populations, species and communities is possible.

- It will be possible to collect the materials for ex situ conservation in strict protected areas.

-If it would be possible ex situ conservation will be realised in partly protected areas of the National Parks or in State Forests.

- Ex situ conservation in Gene Bank will be realised as an additional method of protection.

In spite of many publications, TV and radio programmes only a small number of specialists fully understand and accept necessity of actions in conservation of forest genetic resources. This fact strongly limited the scale of networks because of lack of formal regulation (special law for gene conservation) and of course lack of money for realisation prepared programmes an practical works in the field. To improve this situation Forest Gene Bank from 1996 has started wide understand ecological education. During last two years more than 3000 persons have participated in many kinds of courses, meetings, international symposiums. Also a lot of individual peoples visited. Gene Bank. In this year some students carried out studies for their master thesis. (Information from Gene Bank Rapport).

Two years ago Forest Service has started to preparing computer information system (SILP). In that system more than 150 information relating to each plot will be available in computer database. This system also enable us to add new data which bring up to date the information about each plot. For using this system for gene conservation purposes we add descriptors proposed in Technical guidelines prepared for Spruce (Picea abies Karst.). Only for estimation localisation in the State Forests it will be used forest division (regional forest district, forest district, forestry). Geographical localisation will bee estimated additionally using GPS system. But State Forests also start to preparing numerical forest maps. It means that using these maps and additional equipment it will be possible to estimate geographical position with bigger precision and can be use also for single genotypes.

The field works in gene conservation of spruce are presented in Tab. 1, 2 and 3). They are concentrated manly on choosing the new populations in State Forests and National Parks. Collection of seeds for long term storage in Gene Bank wasn’t dane because of lack of crop in last two years.

Tab.2 Register of the gene conservation stands Spruce (Picea abies Karst.) chosen in 1996-97 in National Parks