Making conservation and regeneration research more accessible
FRAXIGEN, an EU funded project, studied the genetic structure and gene flow among three native Farinas species in Europe and the influence of their reproductive system. In addition, trials that examine the distance over which environmental adaptation takes place has brought forth a rational basis for distinguishing what constitutes local populations according to EU directives. Insights as to how resilient populations are to global change and how anthropogenic selection has influenced adaptive variation were also examined. Through a collaborative effort to put forth scientifically-based guidelines for determining provenances and choosing sustainable seed sources, dissemination methods have resulted in a brochure, a website and a book. The brochure has been made available in six languages: English, Swedish, Spanish, Greek, Romanian and Slovak and gives an overview of the project's objective and method. Both content and layout were modified and each version was tailored to each country's priorities and species. The purpose of the brochures was to generate basic information about the project to likely end-users of the research and interested parties of the general public alike. Their distribution in the respective project countries was vast and is still available to download on the project website. A vital medium for the project's dissemination is the website: http://www.fraxigen.net(odnośnik otworzy się w nowym oknie) that contains current information about the project. Such information includes contact details for all project partners, downloadable versions of the project brochures and reports of user group activities. Also downloadable from the website is the book "Ash species in Europe: Biological characteristics and practical guidelines for sustainable use" which is the projects most vital non-academic output. This is because the book summarises the project's research methods and principal findings as well as the conclusions and recommendations, which have resulted from the research. This information will be of particular use to policy makers and practitioners in the field of forest genetic resource conservation.