Integration of Conservation Strategies of Plant Genetic ... - Genres

F. Begemann
Table 2: Active members of the Federal/State Working Group for Forest Genetic Resources
(State research institutes of the following States as indicated)
Baden-Würtemberg
Bayern
Brandenburg
Hessen
Niedersachsen and Schleswig-Holstein
Nordrhein-Westfalen
Rheinland-Pfalz
Sachsen
Federal Forestry Research Institute
2.1.3 Wild Species
Wild species are mentioned in this paper too, but separately, as they can be considered as future genetic
resources although a utilization in the near future might not be the case. Similarily to the forest genetic
resources, conservation of wild species is mainly in the responsibility of the States. Ex-situ conservation
is being executed by some 70 Botanic Gardens in Germany. They are represented by an Association of
Botanic Gardens which has recently undertaken steps to more closely collaborate with the movement
of plant genetic resources and indicated to link its documentation system to the central documentation
of plant genetic resources that is being developed at the Information Centre for Genetic Resources (IGR)
in Bonn [STÜTZEL AND BOOS, 1993].
Nevertheless, there is no complete picture over the various collections held in the gardens. This will be
achieved once the documentation systems of the botanic gardens have been improved and completed.
2.2 Informal sector
In Germany, the informal sector (non-governmental organisations (NGO) or individuals) are yet to be
well coordinated. Hence, there is no complete picture of informal activities. Only some groups or
individuals that are known to the German Information Centre for Genetic Resources (IGR) can be listed
here. Most of these initiatives deal with the conservation of agricultural and horticultural crops (Table
3).