The Importance of Genetic Diversity

Genetic diversity is a fundamental aspect of our forests, although too often ignored. For three important reasons, we should be sure to conserve it as we manage our native forests:

For ecosystem integrity

Our forest ecosystems function to provide services we need in almost all of the diverse climates and sites of southcentral Ontario. Healthy forests moderate the local climate, conserve soil and ground water, enrich soil, and provide economic benefits from logging, recreation, and hunting.

Species diversity ensures that there are species adapted to hot summers versus cold winters; to moist versus dry soils; to heavy shade versus exposed conditions.

In the ice storm of 1998, the relatively high level of species diversity in eastern Ontario's forests allowed the forests of eastern Ontario to continue to exist and thrive, although many trees and even whole species suffered. Compare this to the sad state of many of our urban forests where one species, often the invasive exotic Norway maple, has been overplanted.

For evolutionary capacity

Genetic diversity within a species means that no matter the stress, unless it is catastrophic, some individuals will be adapted to withstand it, will survive, and therefore the species will survive.

We hope that natural genetic resistance will be found to help conserve butternut which is threatened by an introduced fungal disease, the butternut canker. If we had reduced the butternut species to a few clones on our landscape that were desired for nut production or maybe their appearance, it is unlikely we would be successful in finding natural resistance.

For economic potential

When we have taken care to conserve the full breadth of native genetic diversity, we have a greater opportunity to select certain trees to breed for traits which will bring economic benefit.

It may be sweeter sap for maple syrup production, faster growth in white spruce, disease resistance in white pine, better nut production in walnut, or stem form and branch angle for windbreak or Christmas tree species.

	FGCA > About Genetic Diversity > The Importance of Genetic Diversity
	The Importance of Genetic Diversity Genetic diversity is a fundamental aspect of our forests, although too often ignored. For three important reasons, we should be sure to conserve it as we manage our native forests: For ecosystem integrity Our forest ecosystems function to provide services we need in almost all of the diverse climates and sites of southcentral Ontario. Healthy forests moderate the local climate, conserve soil and ground water, enrich soil, and provide economic benefits from logging, recreation, and hunting. Species diversity ensures that there are species adapted to hot summers versus cold winters; to moist versus dry soils; to heavy shade versus exposed conditions. In the ice storm of 1998, the relatively high level of species diversity in eastern Ontario's forests allowed the forests of eastern Ontario to continue to exist and thrive, although many trees and even whole species suffered. Compare this to the sad state of many of our urban forests where one species, often the invasive exotic Norway maple, has been overplanted. For evolutionary capacity Genetic diversity within a species means that no matter the stress, unless it is catastrophic, some individuals will be adapted to withstand it, will survive, and therefore the species will survive. We hope that natural genetic resistance will be found to help conserve butternut which is threatened by an introduced fungal disease, the butternut canker. If we had reduced the butternut species to a few clones on our landscape that were desired for nut production or maybe their appearance, it is unlikely we would be successful in finding natural resistance. For economic potential When we have taken care to conserve the full breadth of native genetic diversity, we have a greater opportunity to select certain trees to breed for traits which will bring economic benefit. It may be sweeter sap for maple syrup production, faster growth in white spruce, disease resistance in white pine, better nut production in walnut, or stem form and branch angle for windbreak or Christmas tree species.