Genetic resouce management and climate change: Genetic options for adapting national forests to climate change

This report provides an overview of current climate change knowledge and potential implications for forest tree species, as well as goals, principles, and recommendations for enhancing forest resilience and resistance through a re-aligned “climate-smart” National Forest System (NFS) Genetic Resource Management Program. Although national forests may differ in terms of species and population vulnerability to climate change, as well as appropriate management response, our recommendations and adaptation options all follow three overarching principles: (1) genetically diverse and adapted seed and planting stock will provide the foundation for healthy forests and ecosystems in the future; (2) gene conservation is key to preserving vulnerable species and populations for the future; and (3) establishing and maintaining partnerships will be more important than ever. Implementation of the adaptation options will require new tools, practices, and re-focused investments in NFS Genetic Resource Management activities, as well as a trained workforce, supporting plant production infrastructure, and strong support from research and management.