International Conservation
Eucalyptus
Since 1996, Camcore has collected and conserved Eucalyptus urophylla from seven Indonesian islands, creating the largest genetic base for this species. Our work has expanded to include E. pellita, E. dorrigoensis, and other Corymbia species, ensuring long-term genetic diversity for future breeding and conservation.
Pine
Camcore's pine conservation efforts began in 1980, focusing on Mesoamerican species threatened by deforestation. We have preserved 25 pine species from 366 provenances and 8,506 mother trees, maintaining genetic diversity essential for sustainable forestry.
Teak and Hardwood
We have safeguarded valuable commercial and endangered hardwood species, including teak, gmelina, and 10 other hardwood species. This includes 49 provenances and nearly 1,000 mother trees, securing genetic resources vital for both conservation and forestry industries.
Domestic Conservation
Camcore’s domestic conservation efforts began in 2003 through a collaboration with the USDA Forest Service to preserve endangered and threatened tree species in the United States. These projects, funded by USDA grants, focus on species such as eastern and Carolina hemlock, red spruce, Fraser fir, Atlantic white cedar, Table Mountain pine, and ash species.
Hemlock
Camcore began conserving eastern and Carolina hemlock in 2003 to combat their decline from hemlock woolly adelgid infestations. Over 850 mother trees from 92 populations have been preserved, with the first Carolina hemlock seed production achieved in 2015.
In 2014, Camcore and the USDA Forest Service launched a long-term Hemlock Restoration Project, focusing on:
🔹 Silvicultural establishment (Phase 1)
🔹 Biological & chemical control (Phase 2)
🔹 Optimized restoration strategies (Phase 3)
Fraser Fir and Red Spruce
Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) and red spruce (Picea rubens) in the southern Appalachian Mountains face threats from wildfires, climate change, and invasive pests. Since the 1950s, Fraser fir populations have declined, leading Camcore to collect and conserve seeds from 129 mother trees across North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Red spruce, often sharing the same habitat, is also under pressure, with Camcore collecting cones from 83 trees across 12 sites. To support conservation, foliage samples from both species have been sent to the National Forest Genetics Laboratory for DNA analysis, ensuring the preservation of their genetic diversity.
Atlantic White Cedar
Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) populations have been drastically reduced due to overharvesting, wetland drainage, and wildfires. Camcore has conserved material from 205 trees across 28 populations in four seed zones, ensuring broad genetic representation. Genetic samples have been sent to the USDA Forest Service National Forest Genetics Lab for further research on species diversity.
Ash
Since 2015, Camcore has been conserving native ash species (Fraxinus spp.) threatened by the emerald ash borer (EAB), a destructive invasive beetle. With support from a $42,000 USDA Forest Service grant, the project focuses on preserving Carolina ash, Pumpkin ash, Blue ash, and Texas ash. By collecting and storing seeds, Camcore aims to safeguard genetic diversity and support future breeding efforts to develop EAB-resistant trees, ensuring the survival of these ecologically vital species.
Need for Conservation
Rising Human Population
Increasing demand for wood, fuel, and land for agriculture and urbanization.
In Situ Conservation Challenges
Protecting species in their natural habitats is difficult due to ongoing threats.
Threat to Biodiversity
Forest genetic resources, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, are at risk.
Ex Situ Conservation Solutions
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Deforestation and Land Use Change
Clearing forests for agriculture, fuelwood, and urban expansion.
Reintroduction Potential
Enables repopulation of species once environmental concerns are addressed..
How Camcore Conserves Genetic Diversity
Exploration and Identification
Camcore conducts field expeditions in remote areas of Central America, Mexico, and Southeast Asia to locate populations of threatened tree species.
Seed Collection and Genetic Diversity
Once a threatened population is identified, seeds are collected from 20 to 50 trees with good growth and form. Each tree receives a unique pedigree number for tracking genetic diversity.
Seed Distribution and Conservation Banks
Collected seeds are distributed to Camcore members worldwide, where they are planted in field conservation banks and progeny trials to preserve genetic material.
Establishing Conservation Parks
Since the 1980s, gene conservation banks have evolved into “Conservation Parks,” which are 20-40 hectare protected areas on members' land, ensuring the long-term survival of tree populations.
Reintroduction and Genetic Safeguarding
Seeds from conservation banks and trials have been reintroduced into their original countries, helping local governments restore lost genetic resources and promote forest sustainability.
Genetic Sampling
Step 1
Identify threatened species & analyze genetic diversity using molecular markers.
Step 2
Determine optimal sampling numbers for small and large populations.
Step 3
Establish conservation sites and conduct field trials.
Camcore’s genetic studies in Guatemala (Pinus tecunumanii) revealed that collecting seeds from 20 trees in small populations (5 ha) and 10 trees in large populations (200 ha) efficiently captures genetic diversity. In Indonesia, DNA analysis of Eucalyptus urophylla identified the Timor and Wetar populations as the most genetically diverse, shaping conservation strategies. By sampling 20 to 50 trees per population, Camcore ensures broad genetic adaptability, supporting both tree breeding and long-term conservation efforts.
