Article

Forest ecosystems are important components of the European natural environment and provide substantial services and benefits to human society. They are under severe threat due to pollution and human-induced effects; and these pose severe challenges for the adaptation and survival of tree populations. The special nature of tree poplations is considered, and the need to protect adequate amounts of genetic variability in them is discussed. Both in situ and ex situ approaches play a role in conserving genetic variation of forest tree populations, with the former given high priority.