Elaboration and adoption of the "Concept for the conservation and sustainable use of forest genetic resources in Ukraine" were caused by the need to define the strategic goals and objectives, methodological, methodical, organizational principles and techniques for conservation of forest genetic resources in Ukraine on a nationwide scale. The development of the Concept aims at providing stable functioning of forest ecosystems today and in the future, preserving the potential of forests for producing of their unique set of economic, environmental and social benefits. The use of the document will serve as the basis for developing of new and improving the existing legislative, departmental and administrative regulations that provide different aspects of biodiversity conservation in forests -programs, regulations, guidelines, directives, recommendations, etc. In the Concept, which is developed in Ukraine for the first time, characterized are the topicality and the necessity for conservation of forest genetic resources, the classification of factors that endanger the genetic diversity of forest tree species is described, legal basis of the process for conserving forest genetic resources is analyzed, the methods and strategy of genetic variability of forest tree species conservation are reported, attention was paid to the benefits from sustainable use of forest genetic resources, also here were indicated the necessity of scientific support of this process and outlined ways of implementing this concept.
The seed orchards (SO) serve possibilities to collect seeds from the selected genotypes or to create artificial population throughout the controlled crossing of the target genotypes. Therefore, the seed material obtained from the clonal and seedling seed orchards offers unique opportunity to improve the genetic value of seeds. Thus, the seed orchards are considered as an important part of the forest seed base being the key object for both modern forestry and forestry research. This paper outlines the forest breeding activities associated with the seed production in the seed orchards in Ukraine over the last 70 years. During this period, the different aspects related to the establishment and management of the seed orchard were studied. In these processes, many failures had occurred, their causes and consequences were described. These main breeding activities were reported considering plain and mountain regions of Ukraine as well as specific aspects of the reproduction of the main forest tree species. As of 2019, the total area of the clonal seed orchards (CSO) reached 1040.3 ha, while seedling seed orchards (SSO) only 273.7 ha. The results of research on the growth, reproductive development, the morphology of the plus trees clones in the SO were generalized. The article on the current problems and challenges for Ukrainian forestry mainly related to forest tree breeding and there was also focus on forest seed industry. For the main forest trees species (Scots pine, English oak and other), targeted breeding programs should be developed. It is relevant to create the genetic bank of the forest seeds.
Current distributions of Swiss stone pine mostly cover the mountain regions of Europe (Alps and Carpathians). Easternmost distribution of this species is located in western Ukraine. Due to environmental fragmentation in Eastern Carpathians and competition with Norway spruce and other species, marginal populations of Swiss stone pine create isolated island, where other species are not able to cope with harsh conditions. Still, Pinus cembra L. play an important role for soil-formation and soil-protection in high elevations. The evidence of recent reduction in the area of Swiss stone pine raises the question whether the introduction of this species at lower altitudes can be successful? According to the studies conducted on reciprocal transplant experiments, Swiss stone pine population from higher elevation are able to profit in low elevation sites. Thus, parallelly with gene conservation activity, the possibilities of assisted migration should be recognized for this species.