Conservation of pedunculate oak (Guercus robur L.): Genetic resources at the territory of public enterprise 'Vojvodinašume'

Oak forests represent one of the most valuable forests in the Republic of Serbia. Unfortunately, the management of these forests in the past few decades is affected by a number of problems that are reflected in the drying of individual and groups of trees throughout the area where the penduculate oak occurs. Conservation of genetic resources or genetic variability contained in natural populations is the basis for improving existing state of oak forests, as well as a prerequisite for further improvement of the health and vitality of the same. This paper describes the current activities related to the conservation of genetic resources of penduculate oak within the forest area managed by Public Enterprise 'Vojvodinasume'. Over decades, using different methods of in situ and ex situ conservation, aside numerous of objects (stands) aimed for conservation of genetic resources, among which the most important place, of course, take seed stands and seed orchards. Apart from the aspect of biodiversity conservation, these objects (stands) have a great importance for the forestry profession with regard of the production of genetically qualitative seed. Also, this paper provides the short list of recommendations et the end, needed in articulating future activities on conservation of genetic resources and breeding of oak, in the light of climate change. In addition, the paper made a brief review of the new research focus including the newest unpublished molecular analysis on penduculate oak, with the aim to provide recommendations for developing a new strategies for preservation of the gene pool of penduculate oak using SSR marker system.