I welcome this publication from UNEP-WCMC of The World List of Threatened Trees. The importance of this unique document is reflected in the comprehensive collection and methodological analysis of information of the conservation status of tree species worldwide. The preparation of this work, which documents the threatened status of around ten percent of the world's tree species, is an impressive task, made possible through a collaborative and networking approach. UNEP-WCMC has worked closely with the Species Survival Commission of the World Conservation Union and has successfully drawn together herbarium taxonomists, field botanists, forest genetic resources specialists, foresters and conservation biologists to pool their collective expertise on the world's trees in a remarkably short space of time.

Through its forest genetic resources programmes initiated in 1991, IPGRI has forged linkages with WCMC on this work, particularly in the process of the collection of information through workshops in collaboration with and for the benefit of national programmes. Some elements of IPGRI's activities on forest genetic resources which will benefit from the information in this publication are:

• Setting priorities for forest genetic resources conservation and use.

• Assessing patterns of species distribution, genetic variation and threats in forest ecosystems.

• In situ conservation: methodologies for assessing impacts of anthropogenic pressures in forest ecosystems and trees.

• Ex situ conservation: practical procedures for seed handling, storage and germination of species of high economic value in tropical forest ecosystems.

• Regional collaboration: networking and training activities in forest genetic resources.

Given the range and scale of threats to global forest biodiversity, the scope of forest conservation is clearly broad and activities that focus on conservation of ecosystems, species and intraspecific genetic diversity are all required. Within this broad approach, realistic targets are needed through focusing on priority species, priority populations and the level and extent of genotypic variation. In the location and assessment of diversity in forest ecosystems, IPGRI is looking at patterns of genetic diversity and levels of genetic erosion. These vary according to the nature of different forest ecosystems in different geographic regions and find their expression in the diversity of tree species. We need systematic decision making for forest conservation and the collection of species information is of great relevance in setting forest conservation priorities.

Information is needed on the kinds of species, threats and levels of threat, conservation status of species, in situ and ex situ conservation activities and requirements. Economic data are also needed. UNEP-WCMC has made major strides forward in locating this information on tree species and encouraging others to develop more detailed national information.

I hope that the information contained in this publication and the supporting data management resources developed by UNEP-WCMC will make an important contribution to the planning and implementation of forest conservation and sustainable management worldwide. We need to go further in refining and developing the information but with this impressive start and working in partnership with all key organisations we can give tree conservation the importance it deserves in the twenty first century.

Abdou-Salam Ouédraogo

Forest Genetic Resources, IPGRI
Chairman, African Tree Specialist Group

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Document URL: http://www.unep-wcmc.org /trees/Background/foreword.htm
Revision date: 05 September 2007 | Current date: 16 May 2008

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