Oriental Sweet Gum Liquidambar Orientalis
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Technical guidelines for genetic conservation and use Oriental sweet gum Liquidambar orientalis Murat Alan1 and Zeki Kaya2 1 Forest Tree Seeds and Tree Breeding Research Directorate, Gazi, Ankara, Turkey EUFORGEN 2 Middle East Technical University, Department of Biological Sciences, Ankara, Turkey These Technical Guidelines are intended to assist those who cherish the valuable oriental sweet gum genepool and its inheritance, through conserving valuable seed sources or use in practical forestry. The focus is on conserving the genetic diversity of the species at the European scale. The recommendations provided in this module should be regarded as a commonly agreed basis to be complemented and further developed in local, national or regional conditions. The Guidelines are based on the available knowledge of the species and on widely accepted methods for the conservation of forest genetic resources. Biology and ecology Oriental sweet gum is an attrac- tive, deciduous tree, 30-35 m in height with a straight trunk of 100 cm in diameter. Flowers are unisexual and bloom from March - April. The fruits ripen in November - Decem- ber and the seeds are wind dispersed. Oriental sweet gum trees produce seeds annually, but abundant seed crops occur every three years. Although seeds germinate readily, cold-moist stratification provides uni- form conditions for germ- ination. Oriental sweet gum trees favour an eleva- tion of between 0- 400 m, a mean annual rainfall of 1000-1200 mm and a mean annual temperature of 18°C. They can grow on slopes and dry soil, and optimal growth is on rich, deep and moist soils such as bogs, river banks and coastal areas. LiquidambarOriental sweet gumLiquidambar orientalisOriental sweet gum Liquidambarorien orientalisOrienta Oriental sweet gum oppor- Distribution Importance and use tunely produces coppice by sprouting/ suckers, and in reasonable conditions, natural The natural range of oriental Oriental sweet gum is important regeneration is also possible. sweet gum is a limited area in both as a relic and endemic southwest Turkey and Rhodos species. It is also economically Island in Greece between 36°- important, due to its natural bal- 38° N, and it is found at altitudes sam producing ability, which is of 0-1000 m. rare among forest trees. Since research and breeding focus on the oil (balsam) produc- tion properties, data on wood characteristics are limited. Although the wood is not suit for sawmill processing, it is a pre- ferred fuel wood due to the oil content. Sweet gum oil is used in medicine, and the chemical and cosmetic indus- tries. It is used as a fixative in producing soap and cosmet- ics, and is a raw “ingredient” for cin- namyl alcohol and acid. All oil produced is export- ed, providing an income for local people. The species also has some value as an orna- mental, due to its attractive form and colour. ntalisal sweet gumLiquidambar Liquidambar orientalisOriental sweet gumLiquidambar orientalisOriental swee Genetic knowledge Threats to Guidelines for genetic genetic diversity conservation and use There is very little genetic knowl- In 1947 the natural distribution The genetic structure of popula- edge or ongoing research on this area of oriental sweet gum was tions urgently needs to be investi- species. According to fossil evi- 7000 ha. Today it is limited to gated for conservation purposes. dence, although the species about 3200 ha. Most of the trees Although there are currently spread into the northern part of have been damaged due to poor no comprehensive conservation Anatolia in the past, its distribu- oil production methods, which measures, some practices, such tion is now restricted to the involve wounding to stimulate as seed stands, nature conser- Mediterranean. Two different mor- and increase the oil produc- vation areas and clonal seed phological types are observed - tion. If performed proper- orchards, have contributed to those that produce oil and those ly, the trees can be the dynamic conservation that do not. Oil producing (bal- kept healthy. Badly process of oriental sweet gum. sam) trees are smaller with wounded trees are To meet the specific conser- large branches and the about 20 m in vation requirements, these pro- bark has large scales. height, crooked grammes must be revised to The type that does not and weak, while increase the population sizes and produce oil has a unwounded trees ensure representation of diverse straight trunk with can reach about habitats within the natural range smaller branches and 35m in height with of the species. smaller bark scales. straight stems. For species with limited Although there is Grazing and hab- genetic information, it is often very little information avail- itat destruction are assumed that genetic variation able on the genetics of this also posing a threat, follows geographic and ecologi- species, its ecological and especially in Turkey. cal variation. To capture the biological characteristics The rich, fertile soils adaptive variation in oriental give some indication about found in the natural sweet gum, ecogeographic the patterns of genetic distribution area of the zones should be defined accord- diversity. Trees growing from species means that ing to climatic variation. The sea level to 400 m, are known many forest stands are minimum effective size of a gene as “plain sweet gum”, while being destroyed so the conservation population is 50 trees at higher altitudes are land can be farmed. trees, and it is recommended “mountain sweet gum”. Trees Areas close to the culti- that each population is com- growing at the higher alti- vated land are also posed of at least 150-200, to tudes form small groups drained of the mois- ensure enough flowering and and tolerate frost better. ture that sweet fruiting trees. Studies on vegetative gums require for opti- Natural regeneration should propagation indicate that mum growth. be stimulated and used wherever grafting methods from ecological conditions allow. Seed cleft, bud and splice are production is normally sufficient most successful in open and seed orchards can produce forest areas and green- seed in about seven years. To house conditions. conserve and enhance the diver- reet gumorientalisLiquidambar orientalisOriental sweet gum LiquidambarLiquidam orientalisOriental sweet gum Multiple uses of the gene seed orchards should be espec- conservation stands are encour- ially considered for oil production aged, including oil production. to reduce the pressure on natural Recommended oil production stands. methods (Topçuolu,o 1968) In regions where seed should be followed to ensure sources are limited, local ex situ sustainable oil production. The collections (stands) should be designated gene conservation established to serve both con- stands should serve as a source servation and seed production. of reproductive material for These collections should typical- breeding, afforestation, oil pro- ly be established within the local duction and landscape planting. region of provenance. Measures Utilizing well adapted seed should be taken to protect them sources is the most effective tool against undesired pollination in genetic conservation. Trees from outside. These stands can can also be planted in forest be bulk collections, seedling riverbeds to act as a firebreak for seed orchards and clonal seed Pinus brutia, and this should be orchards. From a conservation promoted to increase the use of perspective, priority should be this species. given to resources that are In order to conserve sufficient threatened by extinction or con- genetic variation to maintain the tamination from undesired adaptive potential of oriental provenances, small popula- sweet gum, it is recommended tions and unique popula- that a network of in situ gene tions or individuals. sity in small populations it is also conservation stands is estab- recommended that effective pop- lished throughout the distribution ulation sizes are increased by area. Several fairly small popula- planting local material. tions could be selected for the Local material should also be establishment of such a network. used for afforestation purposes Since oriental sweet gum exists wherever possible. For the fur- in mixed stands with Platanus ther improvement of oriental orientalis and Alnus orientalis sweet gum plantations, “select- which are also Noble Hard- ed” and “tested” material (seed woods, a few natural popu- or clonal) should be used in lations could be extended future. to conserve the associ- In situ stands should be tend- ated species. ed, including thinning, under- This in situ network story clearing, and weeding. should be complemented These and other silvicultural with ex situ collections, measures in gene conservation which will also enable stands are more effective than if provenance research. The the stands are left unmanaged. establishment of new clonal LiquidambarOriental sweet gumLiquidambar orientalisOriental sweet gumLiquidambar orie orientalisO Distribution range of oriental sweet gum entalissOriental sweet gumLiquidambar LiquidamborientalisOriental sweet gumLiquidambar orientalisOrie EUFORGEN These technical guidelines were Selected bibliography produced by members of the EUFORGEN Noble Hardwoods Network. The objective of the Net- work is to identify minimum genet- ic conservation requirements in the long term in Europe, in order to reduce the overall conserva- tion cost and to improve the qual- ity of standards in each country. Citation: Alan M. and Z. Kaya. 2003. EUFORGEN Technical Guidelines for genetic conserva- tion and use for oriental sweet gum (Liquidambar orientalis). International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome, Italy. 6 pages. Drawings: Liquidambar orientalis, Giovanna Bernetti. © IPGRI, 2003. ISBN 92-9043-605-0 EUFORGEN Secretariat c/o IPGRI Via dei Tre Denari, 472/a 00057 Maccarese (Fiumicino) Rome, Italy Tel. (+39)066118251 More information Fax: (+39)0661979661 www.euforgen.org [email protected].