Managing genetic diversity is of key importance in fostering resilience of forest ecosystems to climate change. We carried out a survey reaching over 200 forest owners and managers from 15 European countries to understand their perceptions of the main threats to forest ecosystems, their knowledge of forest genetic resources (FGR) and their attitude toward actively managing these resources to strengthen the resilience of forest ecosystems to climate change. Respondents perceived pests and diseases to be the top-ranking threats to forests, followed by windstorms and drought, with differences across countries. They stated to be aware of the potential offered by managing FGR and indicated that they paid attention to origin and quality in their choice of planting material. Generally, respondents showed a positive attitude in using forest reproductive material foreign to the planting site, to better match the projected future climate conditions, introducing either a new native tree species or a new non-local genotype of a species already planted (keeping the same species but changing the source of planting material). However, forest reproductive material from local sources was largely preferred over non-local material (both genetically improved and not improved). Forest managers and owners may need to be exposed to more evidence of the potential benefits deriving from active adaptation and mitigation management of FGR before implementing adaptive measures. Also, more efforts should be invested in understanding perceptions and motivations of European forest owners and managers, in order to better tailor advice on optimal measures to counteract the detrimental effects of climate change.

中文翻译：

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管理森林遗传资源作为使森林适应气候变化的战略：欧洲森林所有者和管理者的看法

管理遗传多样性对于促进森林生态系统对气候变化的适应力至关重要。我们对来自 15 个欧洲国家的 200 多名森林所有者和管理者进行了一项调查，以了解他们对森林生态系统面临的主要威胁的看法、他们对森林遗传资源 (FGR) 的了解以及他们对积极管理这些资源以加强森林恢复能力的态度。森林生态系统对气候变化的影响。受访者认为病虫害是森林面临的首要威胁，其次是风暴和干旱，各国之间存在差异。他们表示意识到管理森林遗传资源所带来的潜力，并表示他们在选择种植材料时关注原产地和质量。一般来说，受访者在使用种植地点外的森林繁殖材料方面表现出积极的态度，以更好地匹配预计的未来气候条件，引入新的本地树种或已种植物种的新非本地基因型（保留相同的物种但改变种植材料的来源）。然而，与非本地材料（遗传改良和未改良）相比，来自当地来源的森林繁殖材料在很大程度上更受青睐。在实施适应性措施之前，森林管理者和所有者可能需要更多地了解森林遗传资源的积极适应和减缓管理所带来的潜在利益。此外，应加大力度了解欧洲森林所有者和管理者的看法和动机，