Conservation and restoration of pine forest genetic resources in Mexico

Deforestation rates in Mexico are about 670,000 ha/year. This threatens the richness of forest genetic resources in Mexico, causing the disappearance of locally adapted populations and rare and endangered pine species. Mexico is one of the six megadiverse countries in the world, with half of the world's Pinus species. Pinus is one of the most economically and ecologically important forest genera in Mexico. We suggest that delineation of seed zones and the establishment of a network of Forest Genetic Resource Conservation Units (FGRCUs), linked with forest management and ecological restoration programs will protect this valuable resource. We estimate that FGRCUs should include 25 to 50 ha each, with at least one FGRCU for each priority species in each seed zone. We highlight the need for studies of adaptive genetic variation among pine populations and for new methodologies and techniques to suit ecological restoration under Mexican forest conditions. We briefly describe ongoing research on these topics on forests owned by a well-organized indigenous community in Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro, Michoacan, western Mexico.