forestry
Forest tree breeding in Latvia began in the late 1950s when forest scientists started identifying and selecting the best forest stands. Today, progeny testing plantations cover over 800 hectares, and the majority of Latvia’s forest regeneration uses bred material, significantly increasing the future value of these forests. Forest tree breeding is becoming increasingly important in mitigating the risks posed by climate change.
In this podcast episode, LVMI "Silava" researcher Arnis Gailis discusses:
- What is forest breeding, and why is it important for today's and future forestry?
- When and how forest breeding research began.
- How Latvian forest breeders managed to implement Scandinavian methods of plus-tree propagation and establish seed orchards, despite disregarding Soviet Union recommendations.
- The interest of neighboring countries in Latvian-bred forest tree seedlings.
- Current efforts in forest breeding to prepare for today's and future forests, considering projected climate changes.
- Opportunities for collaboration in forest breeding with other forestry science institutes across Europe and the world.
Listen to the latest podcast in Latvian: