MULTIPURPOSE GENE CONSERVATION IN QUERCUS-SUBER - A PORTUGUESE EXAMPLE

Quereus suber, the native forest tree of highest economic value to Por tugal is continuously declining. Creating good conditions for future e volution is the most important gene conservation objective for Quercus suber A simple breeding programme to improve the production of good c ork is also included in the gene conservation objective. Gene conserva tion of species accompanying Quercus suber, or even dependent on Querc us suber, is a third objective. The suggested sampling of gene resourc e populations is mainly based on climatic, soil and management conditi ons of Quercus suber populations. Active selection of trees with good cork in small multiple populations growing over a broad array of site conditions is suggested to match the joint evolutionary and breeding o bjective in gene conservation. Management of large natural populations to create maximum habitat diversity is suggested to take care of the gene conservation of accompanying species. Knowledge of the genetic st ructure of Quercus suber and of gene now is urgently needed and ought to be given priority in genetic research.