Forest genetics: pattern and complexity

The study of gene effects requires both reductionist and integrationist app roaches to discern even simple effects as well as the multiple effects of s ingle genes and the effects of multiple genes on phenotypes. Evolutionary g enetics also requires use of both approaches to discern the mixed patterns of genotypic distributions that we observe in forest tree species. While th is evolutionary dynamic does not necessarily generate a stable system, it h as generally provided a diversity that can be used to design efficient bree ding and conservation programs. The management of such programs, however, a lso requires us to develop a conservation ethic.