Forest ecosystems are an indispensible part of nature and provide substantial benefits for human society, since they fulfill a wide spectrum of environmental, economic, and social functions. The deterioration to which forest ecosystems are exposed severely challenges the potential of the constituent forest tree populations to asapt to varying environmental conditions. Genetic variation, however, determines this adaptive potential and is thus a fundamental component of the long-term stability of forest ecosystems. The workshop on "Genetic Variation of Forest Tree Populations in Europe" (Goettingen, Germany, 1990) was held in response to the increasing threat to forest ecosystems and impacts of forest management. The objective of this workshop and the present book is to review our knowledge on the existing genetic variation in European forest tree populations. We intend to delineate gaps in present research and to stimulate prospective research in the fields of ecological genetics of forest trees in Europe. One of the essential research needs is the development of appropriate methods in order to enable a large scale screening of genetic variation in European tree populations. For this purpose, empirical methods in the monitoring of genetic variation are characterized in Chapter 2, prior to the results of experimental studies. The present and future information on genetic variation in European tree species need to be incorporated into concepts for the preservation of genetic resources in order to maintain the ability of forest tree populations to adapt to and to survive in changing environments.
