Potential for genetic conversion of Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) Karst. stands and methods for preserving gene resources of Istebna race in Silesian Beskid Mts

The forests of the Silesian Beskid Mts have a specific composition with a marked dominance of Norway spruce. Although spruce stands are seriously threatened, some of them, such as those of Istebna race, show excellent genetic value. The work stresses the need for the conversion of spruce stands in the Silesian Beskid range on the basis of population genetics and describes the principles of such conversion.