Genetic aspects of forestry in the central Europe

This review addresses different aspects of central European forestry, in particular German forestry, such as the main topics of silviculture, forest management and tree improvement with regard to their effects on genetic structure and variation of tree species. The objective of this review is description of the genetic impacts of the historical development of tree populations, silvicultural methods, seed harvesting and regeneration procedures. Furthermore, the domestication of trees and breeding programs are critically evaluated with respect to genetic impoverishment of forest tree populations. Finally the genetic consequences of the stand replacements are assessed and decisions in forest management are recommended to take into account forest genetic data.