Conservation of Norway spruce gene resources in the Czech Republic

Karel Vancura

Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Jílovište-Strnady, 156 04 Praha 5, Czech Republic

Introduction

Czech Republic forestry has the following problems limiting all activities and also the conservation of genetic resources:

- large-scale air pollution damages and dieback of thousands of forests,

- not very convenient tree species composition,

- too high a deer population (mainly red deer, Cervus elaphus),

- the present transformation of forestry including restitution and privatization process and changes in administration of forest management.

The stability of most spruce stands has decreased to various levels because of emissions and acid rains. In total, 60% of all Czech forests are affected by air pollution at the present time (forested area was 2 641 000 ha in 1994).

Forest tree species, mainly coniferous, are damaged to a catastrophical extent. Gene sources in some localities and regionsCmainly in the northwest and the northern borders of BohemiaCare damaged and destroyed, industrial pollution being the main cause. The negative impact of dryness, destructive effect of abiotic agents multiplied by some insect pests and parasitic fungi and some incorrect silvicultural measures are also important causes of forest damage.

The 10-year forecast predicts further dieback, mainly of spruce stands as Norway spruce represents the main timber-tree species.

Occurrence, origin and distribution of Norway spruce forests

Spruce covers 55% of forest land (Table 1). Results of regional palynological investigations indicate that postglacial immigration of Picea abies into Czech lands occurred in the East Carpathian region. Norway spruce probably could be found only at two areas in 11 500 BC: in Eastern Bohemia (Broumov bassein) and along the north Moravian borders with Slovakia. Norway spruce probably spread in our territory in two main streams: Carpathian-Sudeten and Hercynian. The first one came from the Tatra region, Hercynian way and started probably around the Vienna Forest. The contact of both streams occurred in the Ore Mountains region about the Atlantic period and in the Subboreal the maximum extent of spruce occurred. Several regions are discerned as well as local ecotypes (Picea hercynica, -bavarica, -saxonica, -harcyniana, -corcontica, -silesiaca, P. carpatica - beschidiaca).

Originally, pure stands were created mainly in higher elevations of border mountains with optimum altitude between 600 and 1000 m above sea level. Norway spruce was the most frequent companion of beech and European silver fir (so-called hercynian mixture).

Secondary distribution began in the 18th - as a result of the Czech Directive for Forest and Timber (1754) which recommended cultivation of conifers mainly. Residues of natural forests were preserved only in inaccessible localities. Planting of Norway spruce monocultures outside its natural range resulted in increasing wood production, but forest calamities of various origin became more and more frequent. Unsuitable spruce ecotypes, repeated planting of the same species resulting in deprivation of forest soil, and spruce stands on labile soils affected by underground water are the main reasons for considerable problems.

 

Table 1. Norway spruce (Picea abies) in the Czech Republic (according to Comprehensive Forest Management Plan 1993)

Spruce

Conifers

Total

Actual area (ha)

1 402 566 (54.3%)

1 994 794

2 542 658

Schwappach´s site index

3.4

Average age

60

61

60

Growing stock (1000 m3)

374 297.3 (64.5%)

495 041 (85.3%)

580 200 (100%)

Area by age classes (ha)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

130 996

101 703

115 628

83 715

102 942

148 590

138 506

143 265

153 547

117 544

72 389

42 910

22 858

12 707

7 709

2 948

4 609

Annual allowable cut (1000 m3)

Final cutting

Thinnings

Total

5 902.9

1 712.0

7 614.9

8 050

2 052

10 102

9 041

2 493

11 534

Annual planned restocking (ha)

16 976.0 (48.9%)

26 294 (75.8%)

34 692 (100%)

Share of area: species composition (%)

Natural (by Plíva 1986)

(by ŠindeláÍ 1994)

Actual

Optimum

Target (1985)

 

11.2

15.0

54.3

40.0

50.0

 

34.7

35.0

77.0

68.0

73.4

  

Reforestation plan, 1993-2002 (%)

49.9

75.6

 

It is supposed that originally in the natural species composition Norway spruce covered 12-15% of the forested area. The current extent is 55%, an objective derived from management models (52%), the Comprehensive Forest Management Plan, 1991 (48%) and the supposed optimum (40%).

Information about the current status of Norway spruce is presented in Table 1 and Fig. 1. Norway spruce is present in various levels in several Forest Vegetation Zones (FVZ; based on climatic characteristics, elevation above sea level, average temperature, annual precipitation and length of vegetation period), usually from FVZ 2 (beech-oak) to FVZ 8 (spruce).

Fig. 1. Natural Norway spruce seed zones of the Czech Republic: I, Ore Mountains; II, Central Bohemia; III, South Bohemia; IV, Bohemia Moravian Uplands; V, North Bohemia; VI, East Bohemia; VII, East Sudets; VIII, West Carpathians (NOT AVAILABLE)

Conservation aims and the current state of conservation activities

Application of the principle of sustainable development in all forests (through special management and use of forests in such a way and extent that their stability, biodiversity, production and regeneration capacity fulfill useful roles in the forest) is one of the basic strategic continuous targets of the Czech forest policy. Current results of provenance research gave us information on geographical variability of qualitative and quantitative characteristics and reactions of various populations to different site conditions. These results are used in forestry practice as `Directives for certification and ensuring of reproductive material sources and its transfer' (valid from 1988), taking into account the use of different provenances in the Czech Republic and following a definition of seed-collection regions and recommendations for the transfer of seed material within and among the regions. Slight modification of the respective rules is in preparation.

The basic principle for designation of seed zones and seed material transfer is to use certificated reproductive material of local origin. Transfer of seed material, seedlings and transplants to other forest regions is realized in the same seed zone and vegetative forest type (admissible tolerance is " one degree). Seed zones are defined for Norway spruce; the Czech Republic adopted respective regulations many years ago. There is a fear that all these principles could be neglected in the present period of transformation.

The Ministries of Agriculture and Environment are responsible for conservation of genetic resources of all forest tree species. The Forestry Research Institute has a special charge by a MoA to solve tasks relevant to gene resources conservation.

The concept of gene-resources preservation of existing institutions administering state forests (Forests of the Czech Republic - L„R) is based on standard approaches and long-term experience and research recommendations. Considering the economic limitations the concept is minimal; nevertheless it is the base that should be used in legislation focused on preservation and improvement of forest gene resources. Besides natural regeneration, which is preferred, there are other measures (both in situ and ex situ) for protection and reproduction of gene resources of forest-tree species which have been realized in practical forest management and investigation programmes in individual Forest Zones:

- seed collection, certified stands basic measurements

- gene bases basic measurements

- seed orchards, clonal archives supporting measurements

- seed stands supporting measurements

- mother stands supporting measurements

- selected trees, plus trees supporting measurements

- forest seed material bank supporting measurements

- trial/testing plots supporting measurements

 

For Norway spruce the following means are available:

Means

Number

Area (ha)

Certified forest stands approved for seed collection

103 777

Gene bases

Approved

Proposed (containing Norway spruce)

135

140

66 889

57 974

Seed orchards

  

67

Seed standsH

  

2 338

Selected plus trees

3059

 

H Newly planted stands representing, in our view, certified stands approved for seed collection of the best A category. Their role is to save the genepool and later to be a source of seed; 2337.70 ha of such seed stands (1583.42 ha by artificial planting, 750.04 ha through natural regeneration) have been established for Norway spruce.

Concerning the aim of preservation of the whole genetic spectrum, not only partial populations and important single trees are subjects of our interest. Populations from marginal areas and extreme localities also have to be preserved. Such populations and single trees can be provided by genes important for breeding (adaptability, resistance). Different experimental plots, e.g. provenance ones, are also the form of preservation of spruce gene sources.

Provenance research is important from the viewpoint of the choice of suitable provenances, of their transfer and following designation of seed zones. FGMRI Jílovište-Strnady takes part in the most important international Norway spruce trials (IUFRO 1938, IUFRO 1964/68) and, including bilateral collaboration in spruce provenance research, a total of 1522 populations (791 Czech ones) on more than 76 ha of plots are tested.

Of course, the Nature Preserves are of great importance for the revitalization and regeneration of natural or seminatural, and thus more stable, forest communities. Improving collaboration of employees and experts on nature protection and representatives of the forests of the Czech Republic resulted, in addition to other effects, in refusing demands to prevent any intervention in National Protected Regions. Some valuable elements of the protected zones often could be barely preserved without minimal management interferences. Seed collecting, self-seedlings and advanced growth can be used in other stands, often under the special management regime as gene bases (see above).

The protected areas at the present time are listed in Table 2. In two-thirds of them the Norway spruce plays an important role.

Table 2. Protected forest areas in the Czech Republic, 1995

Protected forestry areas

Number

Area (ha)

Large-scale protected territories

National Park

3

111 120

Landscape Protected Area

24

1 042 365

Total

27

1 153 485

Small-scale protected territories

National Nature Preserves

124

26 882

National Nature Monuments

100

4 801

Nature Preserves

450

16 491

Nature Monuments

866

25 752

Total

1 540

73 926

Land area

  

7 886 417

Forest soil

  

2 641 000

 

Information on populations already conserved by different methods

The areas most affected by industrial pollution are in the northern part of the country, in the infamous Ore Mountains. As reintroduction of the Norway spruce local populations is possible only after a substantial change in the current ecological conditions, an ex situ breeding programme was started 10 years ago. Where seed collection was still possible, cultivated seedlings were used as ortet for the next cutting propagation. From so-called `resistant trees', grafts were prepared; about 150 clones are available.

Breeding programmes represent one form of genepool preservation. Their aim is preservation of autochthonous spruce populations. They are gradually prepared for individual regions.

Allochthonous populations also are taken into consideration. The first programmes prepared by ŠindeláÍ for the Krkonoše-Giant Mountains and the Bohemian-Moravian Uplands were based mainly on cuttings. Later the FGMRI started with complete programmes including testing of cultivated material (Ore Mountains, Jizerské hory Mountains and Šumava Forest regions).

The unsuitable situation of our forests necessitates development of new methods of vegetative propagation. In vitro propagation of trees by organ cultures and somatic embryogenesis is being tested and used for rapid multiplication and production of individuals with desirable genetic traits. These biotechnological methods are also used for production of more resistant or the most threatened trees.

It is supposed that cryopreservation is not the method which should be used for conservation of Norway spruce or other species genepools in the Czech Republic. Ongoing tests, e.g. with Norway spruce from Jizerské hory Mountains in 1993, seem to be too expensive. A seedbank with deep freezers is probably the best method. Before storing, the seed material is treated and then stored in vacuum polythene containers and kept at 25-35EC below zero. Experiences by others suggest that for Norway spruce the storage period should be 30-40 years. A larger number of smaller samples of regional-population seeds should be stored in the genebank of the Crop Production Institute.

Threats to Norway spruce genetic resources, their management and protection

Mainly around developing industrial agglomerations the symptoms of emission impact are visible. Usually higher elevations have been damaged heavily and local spruce populations in some regions are seriously threatened.

It could be stated that all high-mountain and mountain ecotypes are threatened in every forest region. Their situation is usually critical because they are the remainders of original populations and have decreased ability of fructification. (On the other hand, we can find the fructification on some exposed localities but collection is not economical.) Considering the insufficiency of spruce seeds in the highest areas, part of the planting stock is grown vegetatively, usually through cuttings.

Damage to spruce development (according by ICP Forests):

 

Defoliation (%)

Year
 

1986

1987

1988

1990

1992

1993

1994

0 - 9

23.1

21.9

9.0

7.6

1.9

6.5

9.2

10 - 19

24.1

37.1

23.8

19.0

14.8

19.4

30.8

20 - 29

26.4

21.0

26.8

23.2

25.5

24.2

54.4

30 - 59

20.2

17.8

36.2

35.6

50.5

43.2

3.7

60 - 100

4.2

2.2

4.2

4.6

7.3

6.7

1.9

Important populations

Uplands ecotype

Forest Vegetation Zone (FVZ) (1) 2-4

It is not important as regards the area covered but it is supposed that it could have merits which should be used if the forecast of climatic changes become true. This ecotype, characterized by narrow cylindrical crown and thin branches, is already very rare in forest stands.

Populations from Central Bohemia and the central part of the Vltava River valley are of the main importance.

 

Higher elevation ecotype

FVZ 5-6

Ecotype of mid-elevations is the best one from the productivity point of view. Original populations are also rare; many labile monocultures of unknown origin prevail here.

Populations from Beskydy Mountains and the Bohemian-Moravian Uplands are considered to be the most valuable.

 

Mountain ecotype

FVZ 8

Characterized by very narrow crown with thick branches to the trunk. Artificially replaced by lower-elevation spruce in many localities in the past. Usually in a mixture with higher-elevation ecotype in FVZ 7.

The most important regions are: Šumava Forest, Slavkovský les (Kaiserwald), Jizerské hory Mountains, Krkonoše - Giant Mountains, Orlické hory Mountains (Adlergebirge), Jeseníky Mountains (Altvatergebirge), Beskydy Mountains. Populations from Beskydy region are known as very adaptable, with broad ecovalence and viability in old age (200 years and more). They usually have abnormal productivity and should be used in other natural forest regions of the Czech Republic.

It is supposed that our Norway spruce gene resources are, except for spruce from FVZ 8, sufficient if we are able to use all the available reproductive sources in the framework of relevant programmes for conservation and reproduction of this species.

Weakened forest stands and changed climatic conditions (winters without frosts, dry and hot springs and summers) are serious causes of the increasing trend of various damaging insects. As regards Norway spruce, except for bark beetle (Ips typographus), outbreaks of the following insects should be of importance: Lymantria monacha (about 622 000 ha were infested in 1994), Zeiraphera diniana, Cephalcia abietis, Pristiphora abietina, Pissodes sp., Orgyia antiqua, Pachynematus montanus, Epinotia tedella, Pachynematus scutellatus.

 

Relevant research activities and needs; further development of conservation strategies

General breeding strategies and conservation programmes have been prepared for all species, including Norway spruce.

The responsibility for practical genepool conservation in general is with the Forestry and Game Management Research Institute (FGMRI), Dept. of Biology and Breeding of Forest Tree Species (Beran, Buriánek, Frýdl, Hynek, Malá) and Research Station FGMRI at Uherské HradištŤ (responsible for gene sources certification and evidence and seed testing). Forestry faculties are involved in spruce conservation in central Bohemia (Kostelec n.„.l.) and Jeseníky/Beskydy region in northern Moravia.

Administration of Landscape Protected Areas (under the legal force of Ministry of Environment) is in some cases in collaboration with FGMRI, and special regional conservation programmes.

Of course, the activities of administration state forests (L„R) have to be mentioned. The `genepool experts' of L„R deal with the abovementioned matters in the forestry practice of eight administrative regions.

Public awareness of the importance of forest genetic resources

In the State programme on environment protection, there are different projects prepared in many regions (e.g. in protected zones), aimed at gradual regeneration of forest communities, characterized from the species composition, provenance and spacing view as `semi-natural forests' or nature stands. The fact that in many cases the positions and statements of nature protection authorities and forestry institutions are similar is considered as very positive, as such an approach results in concrete local or regional agreements on cooperation.

Unfortunately we are still waiting for a new Forest Act and subsequent legislation. Forests became a political matter and not only `environmentalists' but also practical foresters are afraid of a new situation: there are about 145 000 new small owners of forests in our country (small forest means less than 50 ha, but unfortunately the average area of such `small forests' is about 2 ha).

We are afraid that the public has other troubles in mind. In this situation foresters need more competent and skilled access to public education and information at all levels (from schools to MPs). It seems that in the present transformation period nobody has an interest in forestsCafter all, they grow by themselves and for a long timeCexcept new owners and their lobby groups.

As there are too many other money-consuming problems, forests are usually put off as in the past (GDP of forestry is less than 1%). Consequently, long-term activities, research and education are in a bad state because of drastic cuts in research budgets and huge staff reductions.

The most urgent needs in Norway spruce conservation

Devastating anthropogenic impact on forests, in spite of the better conditions of air pollution in the last 2 years, is continuing.

The transition to multiple-resource management of forests is additionally complicated in consequence of current economic reform, especially restitution of private and public ownership and changes of organizational structure in forestry management.

The realization of necessary forest management practices is more expensive and budgetary problems can make difficulties during implementation of all respective needs.

The most important common needs of Czech forestry are:

- solving the ongoing problems mentioned above

- air pollution (and depositions),

- unsuitable tree species composition of forests,

- too many hoofed game in forest stands,

- finishing the transformation processes,

- adopting a new Forest Act,

- changing the approach to the forest and forestry in general,

- step-by-step solving of the problem of the relationship between foresters and environmentalists,

- creation of a stable and long-lasting system of education and research activities funding.

 

The establishment of the `forest seed bank', prepared by the Forests of the CR Seed Enterprise in Týnište nad Orlicí, will be an important measure. Recently its status is under discussion, and collaboration with the genebank of Crop Production Research Institute (VÚRV RuzynŤ) is expected.

The preservation of gene resources and the use of proper genetically suitable seedlings by the new forest owners has to be ensured by continuing education programmes, but mainly by the new Forest Act and Directives, which should be finalized as soon as possible.

An important part of current forestry is finishing the process of reprivatization and ensuring management control of all forest stands by experts. Failure to do so will have negative impact also on gene resources, bearing in mind that, in forests not professionally managed, overlogging, insufficient management of calamities, clear-cutting, neglecting the regeneration, and generally deterioration of forest state and stability can occur.

The creation of a functional system of state administration that associates small owners, expert consultations and control of management, instruments for motivation and compensation of forest owners' interests will be of importance.

All the abovementioned items may be considered as too general but it concerns mainly Norway spruce, which has a wide distribution and occurrence.

Last but not least, moral and financial support of people dealing with the forest problems is necessary, considering that forests, in which the Norway spruce plays an important role, whatever their current state, are an important part of the state welfare.

Basic targets

- preservation and improvement of species variability

- rational use of gene resources (national system for better forest seed use, organization of forest seed supply and creation of seed inspection is recommended)

- support of natural regeneration

- education of foresters and the public

- approaching the positions of nature protection bodies and foresters at all levels.

 

Other targets

- own forest seed material sources

- selection of plus trees and populations not considering the species origin

- closing of the programme of clonal archives establishing the mountain spruce.