Tropical forests host most of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity and are important for industries as well as billions of rural people. In addition to wood and non-wood products, forests also provide foods that supplement what is obtained from agriculture, thus increasing food security. In the fast developing Asia Pacific region, tropical forests and forest genetic resources are threatened by deforestation, forest fragmentation and habitat degradation as a result of unsustainable harvesting of forest products and the conversion of forests to other land uses. This also reduces the potential of forest genetic diversity to mitigate the harmful effects of climate change. Several countries in the region have initiated steps to practise sustainable forest management and there is a need to promote management of forest genetic resources per se within this process. This will help the countries to fulfil their commitments of the Convention on Biological Diversity and to strengthen national programmes on forest genetic resources.

Erosion of forest genetic resources (FGR) - timber trees, other plants and wildlife - is a threat to whole ecosystems as well as to livelihoods of people depending on forest resources. Many economically important tree species are today surviving in few fragmented populations and low numbers of individuals.

When the genetic diversity of a species becomes narrow, the species becomes vulnerable to changes in the environment and even more prone to extinction.

Moreover, as diversity is lost, also a potential source for breeding for improved varieties is gone forever. Little is known even about the genetic diversity of many popular timber species.

To mitigate these problems APFORGEN is calling national institutions and all interested parties in the region to collaborate, share practical experience and develop regional programmes to conserve and sustainably use priority forest species. APFORGEN also encourages controlled exchange of forest genetic materials where appropriate and ecologically justifiable.

APFORGEN is a regional programme with a holistic approach to conservation and management of forest genetic resources. Its aim is to enhance technical and scientific cooperation, training and information exchange among countries. Target beneficiaries of the programme include forest research institutions, policy-makers, local communities, government forestry departments, NGOs and private forestry companies. Other international and regional organisations, such as DFSC and FAO, are also participating in the development of the programme and its activities.

International collaboration in forest genetic resources management is not a recent phenomenon when germplasm exchange is concerned. Early exchange of FGR between countries in the APO region has begun centuries ago with the movement of teak germplasm from India to e.g. Java, Indonesia. Another example of species that has been introduced outside its original range before written history is sandal (Santalum album). Especially in the 19th and early 20th century foresters introduced new timber species to the region; some well-known examples include Swietenia species from Mesoamerica and Khaya spp. and Maesopsis eminii from Sub-Saharan Africa. Later, acacias and eucalypts from Oceania and tropical pines from Central America have become common in tree plantations because of their fast growth. Some introduced forest species are reported to have become invasive in certain parts of the region; a few examples include Acacia mangium and A. nilotica in Indonesia, Prosopis juliflora in Sri Lanka, Leucaena leucocephala in India and even Swietenia macrophylla in the Philippines (Binggeli et al. 1998; Masripatin et al. 2004; Munasinghe 2004; Razal et al. 2004; ISSG undated). In the Pacific islands, many more potentially invasive tree species have been reported.

Tree germplasm from Asia has also been introduced outside the region. Fruit tree species have been introduced all over the tropics since the 16th century. Some well-known examples of timber and multiple use tree species originating from the region include neem (Azadirachta indica) and Gmelina arborea. The “living fossil” Gingko biloba was introduced from China to Europe from China in the early 18th century and has become a common ornamental species worldwide.

However, due to historical reasons, movement of FGR to and from outside the APO region has exceeded the movement within the region. One objective of the APFORGEN programme is to facilitate controlled movement of good quality tree germplasm within the region e.g. through linking national forestry departments and forestry research organizations and where this is ecologically justified.

The need to enhance regional collaboration and support national efforts on conservation and use of forest biological diversity has been highlighted in various meetings and workshops held in the Asia Pacific region during the past years. This has paved the way for the development of a regional programme on FGR. The following sections provide a short overview of these previous efforts as a background for APFORGEN.

During the past decade, several international dialogues on forests have promoted development towards sustainable forest management. Although the need to conserve and manage FGR has long been recognized in international fora, no global action plan has been developed for the purpose. The FAO Panel of Experts on Forest Gene Resources does, though, play a major role in providing recommendations at the global level and has stressed the need to strengthen national programmes and regional collaboration on FGR in different parts of world. Global climate change makes conservation of FGR an even more urgent task. It is possible to increase the long-term use of trees and other forest species only if the evolutionary potential of forest species is safeguarded, i.e. the species are able to adapt to the changing environmental conditions following the climatic change. Thus, management of FGR is an integral component of truly sustainable forest management.

Several countries in the Asia Pacific region have taken steps to implement sustainable forest management. In practice, there is a need to promote FGR management within this process. Better management of forest genetic diversity will also help countries to fulfil their commitments as agreed under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in line with their national biodiversity action plans. While the CBD recognizes that countries have sovereign rights over their own biological resources, it also assigns them the responsibility for conserving their biological diversity and urges them to use it in a sustainable manner.

National programmes on FGR are not very well established in most countries in the region. There is also a lack of coordinated regional efforts in this field despite the fact that several existing species-specific networks, e.g. International Neem Network, TEAKNET, the International Network on Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) carry out important work on genetic resources as well. Only in the South Pacific are countries collaborating within a formal networking framework (i.e. the SPRIG Programme).

Several institutions have been conducting research on e.g. dipterocarps and their genetic resources in the region but the major factor constraining progress has been the lack of coordinated action with well-defined objectives and priorities (Bawa 1998). Through networking, it is possible to avoid duplication of efforts and to gain synergy among collaborating countries and other stakeholders. This promotes partnership and efficient use of limited resources. Networking can also enhance the dialogue between scientists, managers, policy-makers and users, and increase interaction between different sectors at the national and regional levels. This is specifically important since many of the forest trees are distributed over more than one country.

The Asia Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutions (APAFRI) held a regional seminar in Kuala Lumpur between 26–27 March 1999, during which its member institutions presented their visions and country-based research needs (Hoon and Awang 2000). The seminar identified APAFRI as a key facilitator for regional collaboration and information exchange to enhance forestry research in the region. Increased regional and global networking and information exchange in e.g. biodiversity conservation and biotechnology were identified as key recommendation (APAFRI 1999b). In addition to these recommendations, many participants identified other needs for research and development that are closely related to conservation and use of FGR, e.g. sustainable management of natural forest, tree improvement and domestication (Hoon and Awang 2000).

During the XXI IUFRO World Congress in Kuala Lumpur in August 2000, APAFRI and IPGRI discussed informally with several partners on the need to enhance regional collaboration on FGR. In November 2000, the IPGRI Regional Office for Asia, the Pacific and Oceania formally approached APAFRI during its Executive Committee meeting and presented a concept note for increasing regional networking on FGR (Koskela 2000).

Since 1997, the Forest Genetic Resources Conservation and Management Project (FORGENMAP) has been securing forest seed sources and improving seed supply for reforestation and rehabilitation purposes in Thailand. The FORGENMAP is being implemented by the Royal Forest Department (RFD) of Thailand and funded jointly by the RFD and the Danish Cooperation for Environment and Development (DANCED, now under the Danish International Development Agency (Danida)). Similar Danish-supported projects are also being carried out in several other Southeast Asian countries (i.e. Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and in South Asia (Nepal). While the major focus of these projects has been on improvement of tree seed sources and supply, they have also contributed to the conservation and management of FGR in a broad sense.

In March 2001, FORGENMAP organised a regional workshop for Southeast Asian countries in Thailand. This workshop brought together delegates from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. (Myanmar was unable to send a delegate but provided a country report.) IPGRI, the FAO Forestry Research Support Programme for Asia and the Pacific (FORSPA), DFSC and CSIRO provided additional support and technical contributions. This workshop assessed the national status of FGR in different countries and initiated strategic thinking on how to improve conservation and management of FGR at both national and regional levels. It also made several recommendations for further action (see Koskela et al. 2002 for details). One of the workshop recommendations was that, in future efforts, special emphasis should be given to enhance regional networking on conservation and use of FGR. Furthermore, the delegates suggested that IPGRI should coordinate further action on promoting collaboration with other relevant international and regional organizations.

During the late 2001 and early 2002, APAFRI and IPGRI decided to initiate the Asia Pacific Forest Genetic Resources Programme (APFORGEN). However, it became obvious that not only the Southeast Asian countries but also other countries in the Asia Pacific region could benefit from increased regional collaboration on FGR. Furthermore, IPGRI was already coordinating similar regional programmes in other parts of the world (namely the European Forest Genetic Resources Programme (EUFORGEN) and the Sub-Saharan Forest Genetic Resources Programme (SAFORGEN)). It was also agreed that the initial focus of APFORGEN should be on tropical and sub-tropical forests as these host most of the terrestrial biodiversity in the APO region and are most threatened. It was further agreed, as the SPRIG Programme was already operational in the Pacific, to focus on South, Southeast and East Asia and develop links with SPRIG on common concerns.

At the end of February 2002, APAFRI and IPGRI initiated a consultation process with potential national partners and sent out a questionnaire to 21 institutes in 14 countries in the region. The objective of this consultation was to obtain information about:

1. The kind of activities on FGR different institutions are involved in
2. The level of existing regional collaboration and the countries’ interest to increase this collaboration
3. Available human and financial resources
4. Activities that are needed to strengthen the countries’ capacity to conserve and sustainably use FGR
5. The most important priority forest species for regional collaboration

By September 2002, 16 partners in 13 countries had indicated their strong interest on APFORGEN and provided valuable feedback. These partners are Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education, Department of Forest Research and Survey (Nepal), Tree Improvement and Silviculture Component (Nepal), Pakistan Forest Research Institute, Sri Lanka Forest Department, Cambodian Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Research and Development Centre for Biotechnology and Forest Tree Improvement (Indonesia), Forest Research Centre in Lao PDR, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, College of Forestry and Natural Resources in the Philippines, Royal Forest Department and Kasetsart University in Thailand, Forest Science Institute of Vietnam, and Research Institute of Forestry and Research Institute of Tropical Forestry, both under the Chinese Academy of Forestry. A summary table of the results of this consultation can be found here.

The feedback revealed that much of the international collaboration on FGR takes place with partners outside the APO region. International collaboration is generally bilateral, involving an Asian country and one or more of European or US agencies in the form of relatively short-term projects. Similar bilateral arrangements prevail in cooperation that happens between the APO countries and Australia, Japan and South Korea. Only a few activities or projects have been carried out between the neighbouring countries or with other countries in the region. In some cases, these activities include exchange of information and forest germplasm though such exchange does not seem to be widespread. Subsequently, all partners indicated that there is a need to enhance regional collaboration with other countries in the region and that they consider APFORGEN as a very useful initiative. There is, thus, strong agreement that a regional approach to conservation of FGR is necessary as forest ecosystems and species span across the political boundaries.

For future R&D efforts, the partners indicate a number of activities that could be broadly grouped as follows. First, many partners feel that a national assessment of FGR needs to be carried out in their country, including mapping of species’ natural distribution areas and evaluation of genetic diversity. Second, the need to enhance genetic conservation efforts has been frequently emphasized. A wide range of topics on genetic conservation is mentioned, such as germplasm collecting and storage, establishment of in situ and ex situ conservation areas, conservation through use, indicators for monitoring biodiversity, endangered species, taxonomy and active participation of local people in conservation. Third, the increased use of biotechnology in management of FGR, for example in studies on population genetics, tree breeding and micropropagation of planting material is noted. Fourth, the need to increase the use of FGR in tree improvement, plantation establishment and management of natural forests is also often mentioned. In addition to these four broad categories, the partners also indicate need to enhance information dissemination and increase the awareness on genetic conservation among forestry professionals and the general public.

In the questionnaire, a list of priority species, developed by the Southeast Asian workshop on FGR in 2001, was provided to the partners and they were asked to indicate which of those species they considered important for APFORGEN.

The APFORGEN Inception Workshop in July 2003 brought together participants from 13 countries in the Asia Pacific region, namely Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, China, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines as well as representatives from IPGRI, APAFRI, FAO and DFSC. The purpose of this workshop was to assess the activities that had taken place in the Southeast Asian countries since the 2001 workshop in Thailand and to learn about the status in the South and East Asian countries plus to discuss and identify priorities for APFORGEN. Click here for more about the workshop.

In the workshop, the state of FGR conservation in each country was reviewed and a few technical papers on conservation methodologies presented. In addition, the objectives and organization of APFORGEN were discussed. The workshop made in total 12 recommendations for the development of APFORGEN. The Inception Workshop participants also recommended the following objectives for APFORGEN:

1. Strengthen national programmes on forest genetic diversity in the participating countries
2. Enhance regional networking and collaboration on conservation and management of FGR
3. Locate, characterize, conserve and facilitate exchange of genetic diversity of selected priority forest species
4. Promote sustainable utilization of genetic diversity in natural and man-made forests
5. Enhance linkages with other regional and international networks

Click here to find a summary of the Inception Workshop.
Click here to find the full Proceedings of the Inception Workshop.

The official launching of APFORGEN programme is scheduled for 2004, after the respective countries have nominated a National Coordinator. APFORGEN Steering committee will be constituted, which will signify official establishment of the Programme. As for enhancing regional collaboration APFORGEN programme aims to work e.g. through the following:

• Strengthen the national FGR programmes
• Link, facilitate communication and bring together national research institutes and universities in the member countries, plus relevant international organisations and other related stakeholders
• Distribute information and create awareness on FGR
• Establish new regional initiatives for conservation and sustainable use of priority forest species (including NTFPs)

APAFRI 1999a. Regional research priorities workshop, 26-27 March 1999, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. APAFRI Secretariat, Serdang, Malaysia. 13 p.

APAFRI 1999b. Regional seminar on Asia Pacific forestry research – conclusions and recommendations, 26-27 March 1999, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. APAFRI Secretariat, Serdang, Malaysia. 13 p.

Bawa, K.S. 1998. Conservation of genetic resources in the Dipterocarpaceae. Pp. 45-55 in A review of Dipterocarps: Taxonomy, ecology and silviculture. (S. Appanah and J.M. Turnbull, eds.). CIFOR, Bogor, Indonesia.

Binggeli, P., J. B. Hall and J.R. Healey. 1998. Overview of invasive woody plants in the tropics. School of Agricultural and Forest Sciences Publication No. 13. University of Wales, Bangor

Durst, P. 2000. Asia-Pacific Forestry Sector Outlook Study: key messages and implications for research. Pp. 7-10 in Asia Pacific Forestry Research – Vision 2010. Proceedings of a regional seminar, 26–27 March 1999, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (T.B. Hoon, and K. Awang, eds.), APAFRI Publication Series No. 7, APAFRI Secretariat, Serdang, Malaysia.

Hoon, T.B. and K. Awang. (eds.) 2000. Asia Pacific Forestry Research – Vision 2010. Proceedings of a regional seminar, 26–27 March 1999, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. APAFRI Publication Series No. 7, APAFRI Secretariat, Serdang, Malaysia. 160 p.

ISSG. (undated). ISSG’s Global Invasive Species Database. (http://issg.appfa.auckland.ac.nz /database/welcome/)

Koskela, J. 2000. Forest genetic resources in the Asia Pacific region: a concept note for a regional networking initiative. A paper prepared for the 7th Meeting of the APAFRI Executive Committee, 13–14 November 2000, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kepong, Malaysia. IPGRI-APO, Serdang, Malaysia (unpublished). 9 p.

Koskela, J., S. Appanah, A.P. Pedersen and M.D. Markopoulos. (eds.) 2002. Proceedings of the Southeast Asian Moving Workshop on Conservation, Management and Utilization of Forest Genetic Resources, 25 February–10 March 2001, Thailand. FORGENMAP/IPGRI/ FORSPA/DFSC/RFD, FORSPA Publication No 31, Bangkok, Thailand. 282p.

Nur Masripatin, A. Rimbawanto, A. YPBC Widyatmoko, Didik Purwito, Muji Susanto, Noor Khomsah, Yuliah, Teguh Setiadji and Lukman Hakim. 2004. Status of forest genetic resources conservation and management in Indonesia. Pp. 165-183 in Forest genetic resources conservation and management. Proceedings of the Asia Pacific Forest Genetic Resources Programme (APFORGEN) Inception Workshop, Kepong, Malaysia, 15-18 July, 2003 (T. Luoma-aho, L.T. Hong, V. Ramanatha Rao and H.C. Sim, eds.). IPGRI-APO, Serdang, Malaysia.

Munasinghe, J.E. 2004. Status of forest genetic resources conservation and management in Sri Lanka. Pp. 117-134 in Forest genetic resources conservation and management. Proceedings of the Asia Pacific Forest Genetic Resources Programme (APFORGEN) Inception Workshop, Kepong, Malaysia, 15-18 July, 2003 (T. Luoma-aho, L.T. Hong, V. Ramanatha Rao and H.C. Sim, eds.). IPGRI-APO, Serdang, Malaysia.

Ramanatha Rao, V. and J. Koskela 2001. Action plans and research needs to conserve forest genetic resources in Asia. Pp. 283–301 in Forest genetic resources: Status, threats and conservation strategies. (R. Uma Shaanker, K.N. Ganeshaiah and K.S. Bawa, eds.). Oxford & IBH Publishing, New Delhi, India.

Razal, R.A., E.L. Tolentino, Jr., M.U. Garcia, E.S. Fernando, N.T. Baguinon, M.O.Quimado, L.A. Donoso and A.C. Luna. 2004. Country report on the status of forest genetic resources conservation and management in the Philippines. Pp 230-265 in Forest genetic resources conservation and management. Proceedings of the Asia Pacific Forest Genetic Resources Programme (APFORGEN) Inception Workshop, Kepong, Malaysia, 15-18 July, 2003 (T. Luoma-aho, L.T. Hong, V. Ramanatha Rao and H.C. Sim, eds.). IPGRI-APO, Serdang, Malaysia.