european forest genetic resources programme

Related Information

Contact

For additional information please contact  Tiit Maaten or  Märt Bratka

Estonia

The tallest (43,6 m) Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) tree in Estonia (in Järvselja) Photo:T.Maaten

National Coordinator

Tiit Maaten
Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences
Kreutzwaldi 5
Tartu
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Experts contributing to EUFORGEN working groups

Mart Külvik, (Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Life Sciences, Tartu), Tiit Maaten, (Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu)

EUFGIS Focal Point

Tiit Maaten, (Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu)

Management of forest genetic resources in Estonia

Conservation of Forest Genetic Resources (FGR) started in Estonia in 1985, when Estonia was a part of the Soviet Union. Target species for conservation were and are the most important species from economical and ecological point of view: Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Silver birch (Betula pendula).

The institution responsible for conservation of FGR is the Ministry of Environment. Principles of FGR conservation are stated in the Estonian Forest Policy (to see click here), in the Estonian Forestry Development Programme until 2010 (http://www.envir.ee/2391) and in the Environmental Action Plan 2007 – 2013 (http://www.envir.ee/2851). There are ten gene reserves in Estonia altogether comprising 2860 ha.

Further information

More about conservation of forest genetic resorces in Europe and in Estonia at http://www.loodusajakiri.ee/eesti_mets/index.php?id=544