National Report on Forest Genetic Activities in Canada
Report to the Forest Genetic Resources Working Group of the FAO North American Forestry
Commission
May 7-11, 2012
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
National Trends
Following the global economic downturn in 2010, forest industry is continuing to slowly recover.
There is evidence of both growth in employment and investment in the forest sector by the
Government of Canada, the provinces and territories, and industry. Growth is occurring in areas
associated with niche markets, non-traditional products and emerging technologies. In 2011, the
forestry sector directly supported 233,000 jobs in over 200 communities across the country and
accounted for 1.9 % of Canadian gross domestic product.
The Government of Canada’s 2012 federal budget identified in their Economic Action Plan 2012 $105
million over two years to support the continued transformation of the forestry sector. The
government will be refocusing its current programs to support two initiatives: 1) expanding the
Market Opportunities Program which will combine the Canada Wood Export and the North American
Wood First Programs and incorporate the activities previously delivered by the Leadership for
Environmental Advantage in Forestry Program, and 2) the Forest Innovation Program which will
combine support for the emergence of transformative technologies, including those developed by
FPInnovations and the Canadian Wood Fiber Centre.
However, as part of the government’s deficit reduction plan, the 2012 budget announced cuts to
Federal Departments including Natural Resources Canada which will have a $107 million reduction in
base expenditures including salaries. The impact to the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) includes the
elimination of 52 full-time staff positions and a decrease in operating expenditures including research.
There is still a degree of uncertainly as to other potential impacts to the CFS. These reductions affect
both the CFS central (Ottawa) and the 5 regional centres, science, policy, programs and enabling
functions, as well as domestic and internationally focused activities.
Furthermore, many jurisdictional budgets have also been reduced, impacting provincial and territorial
activities related forest genetic resources. For example, the April 2012 provincial budget in Ontario
resulted in cuts to Environment and Natural Resources Departments and the impacts of these cuts on
programs are uncertain.
Approximately two-thirds of Canada’s estimated 140 000 species of plants, animals and microorganisms are found in the forest. As of 2011, there are 348 forest-associated species at risk in Canada
with official Federal risk designations according to the Committee on the Status of Endangered
Wildlife in Canada. At the jurisdictional level, most provinces and territories also have priority-setting
exercises for assessing species at risk, including forest associated species. Species listed at the
jurisdictional level as at risk often tend to be listed at the federal level. Threats to forest associated
species continue to include invasive pests, habitat loss and climate change. In particular, climate
change is a challenge that is impacting Canada’s forests in a range of complex ways by altering tree
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growth rates, mortality rates, disturbance patterns, and the distribution of tree species after
disturbances.
Federal
Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service
The CFS has been impacted by the 2012 federal budget as referred to in the previous section. CFS
activities are captured under 5 intended outcomes including: innovation, markets, communities,
ecosystems and disturbances. Ecosystems, disturbances and innovation intended outcomes include
research components that address genetics.
The Assisted Migration (AM) Task Force formed in response to the Canadian Council of Forest
Ministers’ Technical Analysis Group of the Climate change Task Force request for information on
emerging issues related to associated migration, has completed their work with the publication of a
special issues of The Forestry Chronicle (Nov/Dec. 2011). This issue contains five articles on assisted
migration. The CFS is continuing to work in this area and 2012-13 will identify cohesive projects for the
CFS to undertake in collaboration with other Canadian experts.
The CFS in collaboration with the pan-Canadian group CONFORGEN (Canadian Conservation of Forest
Genetic Resources Program), academia and industry completed the Report on the State of Canada’s
Forest Genetic Resources, which was submitted to the Food and Agriculture Organization in April 2012.
Senior CFS management has requested that the National Tree Seed Centre (NTSC) (CFS-Fredericton,
New Brunswick) consider shifting priorities from the ex situ conservation of native tree species to
providing a service for researchers seeking seed. This is potentially a significant shift in roles for the
NTSC.
The CFS Canadian Wood Fibre Centre and Regional Centres (e.g. Laurentian Forestry Centre (LFC))
continue research activities in quantitative genetics, genomics and population genetics in primarily
spruce species. Nathalie Isabel (LFC) works in such areas as the development molecular markers of
candidate genes in several tree species (especially conifers) and in the development of new methods
for the estimation of genetic diversity among different tree species and study of the gene flow
between exotic and native tree species. Armand Seguin (LFC) works focuses on understanding of the
molecular mechanisms of stress responses in trees, tree genetic engineering, and the potential
impacts of transgenic trees on the environment. Much of this research is funded through grants
obtained from NRCan-Forest Industry Long Term Competitiveness Strategy and the CFS-genomics
research and Development Initiative.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Research at the Shelterbelt Centre (Indian Head, SK) will continue with their breeding programs to
produce hardy trees and shrubs for shelterbelts, riparian zones and agroforestry systems. However,
this program will no longer supply trees to the public for the aforementioned purposes. Research on
hybridization between cultivated hybrid poplars and balsam poplars continues with collaboration of
Nathalie Isabel (CFS) and Jean Bousquet (Laval University).
Provinces and Territories
British Columbia
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British Columbia (BC) MFLNRO continues to establish the large Assisted Migration and Adaptation Trial
(AMAT) across western Canada and the western US. This is a long-term multiple-species field trial
intended outcome is to provide a better understanding of tree species’ climate adaptation. This trial
involves multiple populations of 15 species, and is being led by Greg O'Neill (BC MFLNRO). Efforts are
underway to restructure the seed transfer system to a climate-based system, and a couple of different
approaches are being developed and tested. Breeding programs continue in the MFLNRO despite
some recent reductions in staff. Seed orchards for several species of conifers now supply over 60
percent of the total amount of seed used in reforestation, and the average genetic gain has reached
16%. The provincial goal of the Forest Genetics Council of BC is to reach 75% select seed and 20%
genetic gain by 2020.
The Genetic Conservation Technical Advisory Committee of the Forest Genetics Council of BC
continues to expand ex situ conservation collections of native tree species, and completed inventories
all of the in situ, ex situ and inter situ genetic resources for 50 tree species in 2009. A new project on
testing whitebark pine provenances for resistance to white pine blister rust is currently being initiated
by the BC MFLNRO. A BC Chapter of the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation has also been
established and is actively involved in restoration projects for this species. The Centre for Forest
Conservation Genetics recently published the results of a whitebark pine assisted migration
experiment.
Alberta
Due to 2012 being an election year in which land use planning and property owners’ rights are major
issues in the campaign; work on the Alberta provincial governments recent Land-Use Framework
policy has slowed. This policy is meant to deal with land management of public lands and is based on 7
strategies including: 1) Development of seven regional land-use plans based on seven new land-use
regions (generally following major river system drainages), 2) Creation of a land-use secretariat and
establishment of a Regional Advisory Council for each of the seven regions, 3) Cumulative effects
management to manage impacts of development on land, water and air, 4) Development of a
conservation and stewardship strategy for private and public lands, 5) Promotion of efficient land-use
to reduce the human footprint on the landscape, 6) Establishment of an information monitoring and
knowledge system to contribute to continuous improvement of land-use planning and decision
making, and 7) inclusion of aboriginal peoples in land-use planning.
In the area of tree improvement, there are currently twenty two provincial tree improvement
programs approved for deployment on Public lands. The twenty-second, approved this year, is
a balsam poplar program and the first approved deciduous species program for Alberta Public lands. A
first for this year was an agreement with oil sands reclamation companies to register and store with
the government, seed for shrubs used to revegetate oil sands reclamation sites. This process is to
follow the principles of the Alberta Forest Genetic Resource Management and Conservation Standards
used to direct genetic resource management for trees used in reforestation of Public lands. On the
conservation side, work on species recovery plans for both limber and whitebark pine listed as
endangered in Alberta continued and seed collections were made from two additional whitebark and
two additional limber pine locations.
Manitoba
Manitoba Conservation in Cooperatives with forest industry has established 6 black spruce, 2 white
spruce and 4 jack pine first generation tree improvement programs across the province. The Tree
Improvement seed orchards provided improved seed for 40% of the 55,000,000 million seedlings
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planted for forest renewal Manitoba from 2006 - 2010. Manitoba Conservation also established
a Conservation of Forest Genetics program for the ex situ conservation of native trees.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan’s Centre for Northern Agroforestry and Afforestation which is based out of the
University of Saskatchewan has on-going research projects using woody plants in
agroforestry/afforestation systems on agricultural land for farm diversification, fibre production, and
other environmental purposes.
Ontario
The Ontario Forest Research Institute (OFRI) has a number of on-going research projects including
work in somatic embryogenesis applications for tree improvement programs and for endangered
species conservation efforts, evaluation of hybrid poplars for biomass and bioenergy production and
white spruce bud flush studies. In particular work to enhancing genetic resistance in eastern white
pine (Pinus strobus) to enhance white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola Fisch.) is a research focus.
Goals of the work are to breed major resistance genes to C. ribicola into P. stobus from Eurasian white
pines through introgressive hybridization. Testing of the third generation of hybrid backcross between
P. strobus and P. wallichiana is ongoing.
A research project has been initiated at OFRI to assess assisted migration as an adaptation strategy to
climate change for Ontario’s forests. The research attempts to fill in information gaps concerning
population-climate interactions for Ontario’s tree species through analyses of data from long-term
provenances tests and supplemental seedling experiments in controlled environmental changes.
Quebec
The Ministère des Ressources naturelle et de la Faune in collaboration with the CFS initiated in 2010 a
climate change adaptation measures project that will update existing white spruce transfer models
and develop models for black spruce and jack pine. The results will be used to redefine planting zones
of seed orchards and guide transfer for other seed sources.
Tree improvement efforts continue evaluating progeny trials of (Larix decidua Mill.) and Japanese
larch (L. kaempferi), controlled crosses will be completed from second generation of improved jack
pine, continuing work will assess black spruce controlled crosses of second generation material mad
white pine weevil resistance assessments in Norway spruce.
New Brunswick
The New Brunswick Tree Improvement Council (NBTIC) completed its 35th year of operation in 2011. It
continues to move forward with emphasis continuing to be on cross pollinations, test establishment,
and orchard expansion. The priorities are updating the breeding strategies and initiating a climate
change project specific to red spruce. 140 million seed were collected in the seed orchards in 2011.
These were first-generation red spruce, eastern white pine, white spruce and Norway spruce seed
orchards and second-generation black spruce and white spruce seed orchards.
With regards to breeding activities, pair-mating and testing of second generation selections of jack
pine and black spruce is almost completed. The establishment of a third-generation jack pine seed
orchard has been completed. The second generation orchard white spruce collections have been
open-pollinated and one test series was out-planted in 2011. These tests will make it possible to rank
the orchard selections.
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Nova Scotia
The Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources is responsible for developing and conducting
research to improve forest management practices and develop strategies for meeting sustainable
development objectives. It has also recently actively increased achievements regarding the
conservation of the provincial forest genetic resources.
Forest genetic resources are safeguarded through a network of in situ reserves composed of parks,
wilderness areas and other protected landscapes. The province has begun a gap analysis to evaluate
how well existing protected areas meet the goal of safeguarding the genetic diversity of all indigenous
tree species. Preliminary results indicate that some species will need better in situ conservation. The
National Tree Seed Centre conserves seed from Nova Scotia tree provenances for ex situ gene
conservation. Increased collection efforts are underway.
The Nova Scotia Forest Genetics Working Group is the coordinating body for tree improvement in
Nova Scotia. The current objective are to increase wood volume and quality, and maintain broad
genetic diversity in forest plantations, through the production and utilization of locally adapted,
genetically improved seed. Industrial cooperative members carry out breeding activities. Breeding and
testing continues for white, black and red spruce. First generation seed orchards are in place and a
second round of selection has been achieved for each of these species and the installation of secondgeneration seed orchards has begun (red spruce) or is complete (black and white spruces). Possible
future work may include expand the Gap Analysis to at-risk forest associated vascular plant species.
Along with breeding value assessment of second generation black, white and red spruce orchard
clones
Prince Edward Island
The Prince Edward Island Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry priorities are the
operation of seed orchards and a tree nursery that produces seedlings for watershed enhancement,
wildlife management, and reforestation projects on private and public lands, as well as seedlings for
the Island’s Christmas tree operations.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Work associated with the white and black spruce breeding programs along steadily. For black spruce
the second generation orchard is established with specific cross breeding and test establishment of
these candidates is ongoing. Analysis of the genetic material will be conducted by Jean Beaulieu
(CFS). All breeding work for the first generation white spruce has been completed and the
Department of Natural Resources has identified and started cloning most of the candidates for the
second generation orchard. In the near future breeding these selections will be conducted. Eastern
larch, white pine and Norway spruce are established and on the verge of producing seed but no
breeding work is currently planned.
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources is increasing efforts
associated with the conservation of forest associated species, in particular in obtaining base line
information concerning species impacted by changes in land use and climate change.
The Yukon
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The Yukon Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, forestry sector is focusing on activities as
forest management planning and, promoting the sustainable harvesting and conservation of nontimber forest products (e.g., mushrooms).
Nunavut
The Nunavut Department of the Environment is increasing activities conservation for forest associated
species, in particular in obtaining baseline information concerning climate change impacts.
Aboriginal peoples of Canada
The Aboriginal peoples of Canada including the First Nations, Inuit, and Metis have a diverse range of
regional thematic type networks and organizations that address forest genetic resources and their
conservation, among other areas. In general, their approach to resource management encompasses
the principle of stewardship of the Earth, with attendant responsibilities and obligations, and their
thematic type networks reflect this.
Academia
University of British Columbia
Investigators have received funding of $4.7 million for a multi-institution project entitled AdapTree:
Assessing the adaptive portfolio of reforestation stocks for future climates, funded primarily by
Genome Canada and Genome BC, with a large number of co-funders. This project will determine the
genomic basis of adaptation to climate in lodgepole pine and in the interior spruce complex (Picea
glauca, P. engelmannii, and their naturally occurring hybrids) across BC and Alberta, and associate
phenotypic traits with DNA sequence variation in the underlying genes. The project is led by Sally
Aitken (UBC) and Andreas Hamann (University of Alberta), with co-investigators and collaborators at
UBC, U of A, Virginia Tech and University of California, Davis, as well as in the BC MFLNRO, this project
integrates population and quantitative genetics, population genomics, and geospatial climatic analysis
to understand adaptation to recent environments and project adaptation under future environments.
It should result in genomic tools applicable to other conifers, particularly pines and spruces, and will
provide the ability to model the genetic effects of assisted migration within species ranges based on
the geographic distribution of standing variation.
In the Centre for Forest Conservation Genetics research group at UBC, several recent publications on
whitebark pine genetics, climate change modeling including predictions of the distributions of species
and ecosystems in BC, the development of ClimateWNA for the western US and Canada, radial growth
responses of lodgepole pine provenances to climate variation, a rangewide study of genecology and
molecular variation in Cornus nuttallii (Pacific dogwood), as well as a population genomics research
using Sitka spruce that moves us towards an understanding of the capacity of natural populations to
adapt to changing climates have been produced.
University of Alberta
At the University of Alberta, Andreas Hamann’s work continues in such areas as hardwood ecological
and quantitative genetics trembling aspen and balsam poplar: (1) selection and breeding for economic
gains, (2) ensuring that stock is well adapted to the planting site, and (3) maintaining adequate genetic
diversity in breeding populations and production populations. Also, climate change and adaptation
studies are on going, where work is examining revising seed zones and breeding regions to match
planting stock to new climate realities as a tool in the future to maintain forest health and
productivity.
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Laval University
A $10 million research project called SMarTForests, which stands for Spruce Marker Technologies for
Sustainable Forestry, was awarded in Spring 2011 by Genome Canada, Genome Quebec and Genome
BC to a group of investigators of Laval University, University of British Columbia, University of Alberta,
BC MFLNRO and Canadian Forest Service. This project builds on a decade of leadership in spruce
genomics in Canada established in the Arborea and Treenomix projects. The SMarTForests project
aims to develop applied biomarkers and genetic marker systems to enhance productivity and value
recovery from managed spruce forests. As part of this project, a draft sequence of the white spruce
genome will also be obtained and spruce genome resources will be integrated with the Swedish
program sequencing the Norway spruce genome.
University of New Brunswick
At the University of New Brunswick, Om Rajora holds the Canadian research Chair in Forest and
Conservation Genomics and Biotechnology. His work focuses on such areas as the study of molecular,
population, conservation and evolutionary genetics of forest trees.
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