Conservation of forest genetic resources through the example of native Quercus species from the “Košutnjak” park forest in Serbia

Abstract

Given the importance of urban park forests and protected natural areas in the urban environment, the implementation of the concept of genetic conservation is one of the main ways to save and improve this category of natural resources. Forests such as Košutnjak can be considered a refuge for flora and fauna and by establishing conservation programs for certain species, the entire ecosystem would be better protected. The purpose of this paper is to elaborate a systematic approach to in situ conservation of forest genetic resources in urban areas through the example of four native oak species: pedunculate oak, sessile oak, Hungarian oak and downy oak in the protected natural area “Košutnjak” in the capital of Serbia – Belgrade, to develop replicable conservation guidelines for urban park forests. The methodological framework for the development of guidelines for genetic conservation, presented in this paper, is a replicable model whose basic principles can be applied in other cases of urban park forests.