ECO-GENE, A MODEL FOR SIMULATION STUDIES ON THE SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DYNAMICS OF GENETIC STRUCTURES OF TREE POPULATIONS

For a comprehensive evaluation of human influences on the genetic syst em, the simulation model EGO-GENE was developed. The model combines po pulation genetic and population dynamic processes with forest growth m odels. The dynamics of genetic structures (single locus and multilocus genotypes up to 200 loci) can be simulated. Spatial and temporal gene tic dynamics are included in the model. Overlapping or separated gener ations can be created and different modes of mating systems can be imp lemented. The model can be run with empirical and fictitious input dat a. The simulated genetic structures can be directly analysed with esta blished genetic analysis programmes. An example demonstrates the use o f the model far validation of interactions among components of the mat ing system. Another example demonstrates the applicability of the mode l in decision-making for seed sampling strategies. The genetic differe nces between the adult trees and the harvested seeds and the danger of genetic drift regarding to different seed sampling strategies are inv estigated by use of the genetic distance and the reproductively effect ive population size.