Scientists are working to return the original Norway spruce to the Ore Mountains
Human activity has significantly shaped the forests in the Ore Mountains throughout history. In the second half of the 20th century, industrial emissions led to a widespread die-off of mainly spruce trees, resulting in large clearings. However, since the 1990s, pollution levels have gradually improved due to the desulphurization of coal-fired power plants. As a result, despite some lingering negative effects, it has generally become possible to return to normal forest management practices.
Since the beginning of the air pollution crisis, scientists have focused on conserving and protecting the genetic resources of the original spruce trees in the Ore Mountains. To achieve this, they have utilized vegetative propagation methods and established reproductive plantings, including seed orchards and clonal archives.
When artificially regenerating forests, it is essential to consider both provenance and genetic factors. Recent findings suggest that using stress-tolerant clones can play a significant role in the establishment of new forest stands in the future. This strategy will help stabilize forest ecosystems, particularly in extreme mountainous conditions.
Photo: Clonal archive of resistant variants of Ore Mountains spruce, located in Jíloviště-Cukrák. Author: J. Frýdl, 8. 9. 2020.
When using seedlings from autovegetative propagation, the research focuses on their comparability with seedlings of generative origin regarding receptivity, growth, and vitality, as confirmed by the results obtained so far.
In the late 1980s and during the 1990s, breeding programs aimed at saving and preserving the gene pool of native tree species were launched in the Ore Mountains. A survey of genetic resources was carried out at selected locations to identify valuable individuals. In the 6th and 7th forest vegetation zones, reproductive material of Norway spruce, Scots pine, sessile oak and Scotch elm was collected for vegetative propagation.
Furthermore, the research project conducted by GS Lesy České republiky, s. p. focused on “Verifying the genetically determined characteristics of plantings originating from vegetative progeny of resistant variants of Norway spruce in selected locations within the Ore Mountains” (Ověření geneticky podmíněných charakteristik výsadeb vegetativních potomstev rezistentních variant smrku ztepilého vegetativního původu na vybraných lokalitách Krušných hor).
Photo: Mixture of clones (mother plantation) of resistant Ore Mountains spruce ex situ at the PEXÍDR, s. r. o. nursery site, author J. Frýdl, 31. 8. 2021
In four selected pairs of artificially regenerated spruce plantings in the Ore Mountains, established between 1994 and 2001, the growth differences between cuttings and generative offspring were evaluated in 2009 and 2011. The results indicate that the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of both groups are comparable.
Recommendations for utilizing resources preserved in ex situ conditions were partially implemented within the NAZV research project titled “Utilization of vegetative variants of resistant Ore Mountains spruce in forest restoration in the Ore Mountains” (Využití vegetativních variant rezistentního krušnohorského smrku při obnově lesa v Krušných horách).
The goal was to preserve and reproduce the unique genetic resources of the Ore Mountains spruce, which showed the greatest resistance to pollution and were successfully maintained in ex situ conditions at clonal archives in Central Bohemia.
The scientists aimed to gather information on genetic variability and to experimentally test the prospects of repatriating preserved clones of the original Ore Mountains spruce population.
Photo: Vital secondary cuttings of resistant Ore Mountains spruce in the nursery PEXÍDR, s. r. o., author M. Pexídr, 22. 5. 2024
An essential aspect of the project was the development of methodological procedures aimed at producing and utilizing vegetatively propagated reproductive material of resistant Ore Mountains spruce.
In the period 2020–2024, the TA CR research project SS01020076 “Conservation of genetic resources of resistant variants of the Ore Mountains Norway spruce in the context of implementing measures to mitigate the impacts of drought and ongoing environmental changes” (Zachování genetických zdrojů rezistentních variant krušnohorského smrku ztepilého v kontextu realizace opatření ke zmírnění dopadů sucha a probíhajících změn prostředí) was implemented.
The objective of the project was, among others, to incorporate DNA analyses to verify the identities of the clones involved. It also aimed to evaluate the research trials conducted in situ as part of the previous project, as well as to rejuvenate and reconstruct the clonal archive of the Ore Mountains spruce in its natural environment.
To minimize losses of planted material, a method for rejuvenating clones from older clonal archives using secondary cuttings was developed and implemented.
Photo: Graftings of resistant variants of the Ore Mountains spruce in the nursery of the LS LČR Klášterec, author P. Novotný, 29. 8. 2023
The reconstruction of the Vernéřov in situ clonal archive involved establishing a new seed orchard and clonal mixture at the Vejprty site in 2024. This effort included rejuvenated clones from Vernéřov and grafted plants of resistant Ore Mountains spruce sourced from a clonal archive that was originally established in the 1970s at the ex situ Jíloviště-Cukrák site. The aim of this initiative is to supplement the existing genetic diversity and ensure a higher level of resilience.
The importance of utilizing genetic resources of the Ore Mountains resistant spruce
The economic benefit arises from strengthening biodiversity, improving the quality of resistant variants of Norway spruce, and enhancing the stability of their stands. In the long term, this is expected to reduce the need for forest restoration efforts, resulting in overall lower operating costs.
Photo: Planting of a seed orchard/clonal mixture at the Vejprty location, author J. Frýdl, 9. 5. 2024
Using preserved resistant variants of spruce in restoring forests in the Ore Mountains offers significant environmental benefits. This approach can help improve the health of forests that have recently been damaged, for example, by the bud blight (Gemmamyces piceae).
The management and application of ongoing research on preserving and reproducing resistant spruce variants in the Ore Mountains involve establishing effective management of vegetative plantings and developing a comprehensive repatriation strategy.
For more information, refer to the article „Preservation of genetic resources of resistant variants of Norway spruce in the Ore Mountains – review” (Zachování genetických zdrojů rezistentních variant smrku ztepilého v Krušných horách – review), which can be downloaded here.
Prepared from the original by Jan Řezáč, VÚLHM, v. v. i., e-mail: rezac@vulhm.cz
Introductory photo: Norway spruce in the Ore Mountains; author: J. Řezáč