Wild apple-tree genetic reserves gain official status
ASTANA. July 16. KAZINFORM Allotment of the most valuable areas of globally important gene pool of the wild Sievers apple-tree and apricot tree and their official designation as "forest genetic reserves" can be named as a prominent achievement of UNDP/GEF/Government Project on in-situ Conservation of Kazakhstan's Mountain Agrobiodiversity which has been implemented in the territory of Almaty Oblast since 2006.
The survived wild Sievers apple-tree forests in Almaty Oblast are the ever largest in Central Asia. Around 500 plant species, including globally important ones, were identified at the foothills of the Trans-Ili and Dzungarian Alatau Ridges. These species were rated as wild progenitors of 24 cultivated plants covering 75% of the plant agrobiodiversity of Kazakhstan. The total area of reserves in this territory is 559.5 ha including 360 ha in Zhongar-Alatau State National Nature Park and 199.9 ha in Ile-Alatau State National Nature Park, the press service of the UNDP in Kazakhstan reports.
The least disturbed areas of the mountain forest in Trans-Ili and Dzungarian Alatau were selected as genetic reserves. The maximum available intraspecific diversity of wild apple-tree and apricot species is represented in the reserved territories. It was confirmed by the results of biological and ecological assessment and genetic analysis. Allotment of the forest genetic reserves was based on the results of comprehensive studies, territory inventory and mapping, field data processing and map compilation, generic research of biological specimen, preparation and approval of genetic reserve certificates.
Under Order No.138 issued by the Forestry and Hunting Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan on 6 May 2011, these areas were included into the list of genetic plant-breeding territories. The key requirement for maintenance of these genetic reserves is exclusion of any business activities adversely affecting the natural ecological balance. The research departments of Ile-Alatau and Zhongar-Alatau National Parks will conduct research and environmental monitoring of these genetic reserves.
The Project plans include activities aimed at creation of the first Kazakhstan field gene pool, a living collection of intraspecific diversity of Sievers apple-tree and apricot tree, which, along with their conservation in wild life, will act as an "emergency fund" for this gene pool, kind of a field laboratory for research activities and a source for restoration of endangered wild apple-tree and apricot forests and a potential global tourist attraction. A package of design and estimate documents for creation of this field gene pool in the territory of the Aksai Branch of Ile-Alatau State National Nature Park is ready. After a favourable environmental impact assessment, the package was submitted to the Forestry and Hunting Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The commencement of construction with government funding is scheduled for 2012.
Conservation of genetic diversity of wild fruit forests is vital for national and global-wide preservation of biological diversity and food security because it provides more alternatives and ensures their protection from possible adversative environment due to climate and environment changes. Creation of genetic reserves and field gene pools of wild fruit trees is the first complicated but at the same time very important step on the way of ensuring food sovereignty of Kazakhstan.