Tropical Forest Genetics

This book is intended to provide information on fundamental genetic processes in tropical forests. It is based on lecture notes by the authors prepared for po- graduate students, mainly from tropical countries, of the M.Sc. course “Tropical and International Forestry”at the Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany. The intended readership is s- dents, researchers and practitioners interested in the genetic variation of species, in particular forest trees, living in complex forest ecosystems in the tropics. Particular emphasis is placed on the human impact on forest genetic resources in the tropics. Readers should be familiar with basics of classical and molecular genetics such as the structure and function of DNA (double-helix structure, repli- tion), polypeptide synthesis (transcription and translation), and the transm- sion of genetic information during sexual reproduction (“Mendel’s rules”). This knowledge is easily available from recently published genetics textbooks; we recommend the book by Griffiths et al. (2000). The development of biochemical and molecular marker techniques and their application to species of tropical forests have greatly improved our kno- edge of genetic variation patterns of “wild”plants in the tropics during the last two decades. Many examples in this book are based on gene marker techniques.

Genetic Processes in Tropical Forests.- – Genetics of Tropical Forests.- Population Genetics – an Overview.- Genetic Variation of Tropical Forest Plants.- Sexual and Asexual Reproduction in Tropical Forests.- Gene Flow and Migration.- Mating Systems.- Adaptation and Coevolution.- Phylogenies and Evolution Above the Species Level.- Applications of Genetics to Tropical Forestry.- Fragmentation of Forests.- Genetic Aspects of the Management of Natural Tropical Forests.- Provenance Research.- Domestication and Breeding of Tropical Forest Trees.- Genetic Aspects of Plantation Forestry in the Tropics.- Conservation of Genetic Resources in Tropical Forest Trees.

R. Finkeldey: Chair of Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, Göttingen University, Germany. Long-term assignment in research and development projects in Southeast-Asia related to the conservation and sustainable utilization of forest genetic resources. Numerous research projects on genetic diversity and the evolutionary dynamics of tropical forest tree species worldwide. Interests in molecular population genetics, ecological genetics and genomics of forest trees, and human impact on forest genetic resources.

Hans H. Hattemer: Formerly in charge of Chair of Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, University of Göttingen. After long-term activity in tree breeding change to forest biometry, later forest genetics at this university. One-year research appointments in the United States of America and Sweden. Numerous research projects on the reproductive systems of tree populations in various countries. Interest in plant population genetics, ecological genetics, and the genetics of human impacts on biological populations and their genetic resources.