Twenty years German-Russian co-operation for genetic diversity in forests

Since 1994 there is a close cooperation among the forest genetic groups in Grosshansdorf (Germany) and Ufa (Russia). In the beginning of the common research, questions linked to genetic impacts air pollution on forests have been addressed. Then comparative studies on genetic variation and genetic differentiation of trees (oak, pine, larch) and insects (green oak leaf roller) have been conducted. A study of an isolated small pedunculate oak population on the south-eastern edge of the species distribution in the South-Urals brought insights on the extend of long distance pollen flow and a surprisingly high level of genetic diversity of its pest (green oak leaf roller). In the recent years, the work on large scale genetic structure of larch and different white oak species has been a focus. These results find their application for tests on tree species and geographic origin on wood samples and have the purpose to secure the trade of legally harvested timber.