Abstract:The genetic variability and biodiversity of tree populations ensure the stability and sustainability of forest ecosystems. New research tools based on molecular DNA markers enable precise characterisation of forest genetic resources, i.e. detection of different allele frequencies in mature trees and progeny populations. The paper describes the genetic structure of mature stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Oława Forest District and Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) in Jawor Forest District and stands of their respective progeny.In the Scots pine stand, there was a slight increase (0.6%) in heterozygosity level and a larger increase (4.9%) in the inbreeding coefficient of progeny trees. In the Norway spruce stand, despite a small reduction (0.9%) in heterozygosity, a similar increase (4.6%) in the inbreeding coefficient of progeny was revealed. In both stands, allele richness and the partition probability of basic clustering were high. Both pine and spruce adults and progeny trees were characterised by high levels of genetic similarity (96% and 79%, respectively). Gene flow between the mature and progeny populations was high (N m > 1) for both Scots pine and Norway spruce.Conservation of the gene pool within forest tree stands requires an increase in the proportion of natural regeneration. To estimate the extent to which genes are transmitted between adult trees and their progeny, more studies are needed, especially taking into account the influence of silviculture measures, like selective tree cutting, on the genetic variability of the younger generation.These results confirm that the gene pool was conserved when transmitted between the stands studied, as well as highlight the usefulness of such a study for silvicultural purposes.
Illegal logging is a major problem in many European countries. Recent progress in molecular biology, however, has significantly improved the ability to accurately identify wood material. In this paper, the first application of microsatellite DNA markers is described in a case of illegal logging of European ash wood in Polish State Forests. The genetic fingerprints of seized ash wood samples were determined using six nuclear and four chloroplast microsatellite loci, characterized by sufficient stringency in forensic analyses. By comparing the DNA profiles obtained, the origin of one sample of ash wood used as evidence material was confirmed, from among three samples serving as reference material with 99.99999% of probability. This work demonstrates how DNA authenticity testing can serve as an important technical tool in monitoring the legality of the suspected ash timber and confirms the utility of these techniques in detecting illegally logged timber in general.
Precise identification of biological samples remains the most important proof in the forensic science. Illegal logging has become the urgent issue in Poland during the last decades, and conventional methods of investigation turn out to be often insufficient. Recently, the DNA-based markers (SSR and cytoplasmic genes) can remarkably help in the forensic botany performed by the Forest Service Guards and the Police investigation in illegal logging of timber. The identification method relies on comparison of the piece of evidence (i.e., stolen wood fragments) with the piece of reference (e.g., tree parts remained in the forest). We present the usefulness of the DNA neutral markers (i.e., microsatellite loci) and cytoplasmic genes in forensic botany based on several case studies of illegal wood identification in Poland, concerning the most economically important coniferous tree species such as Pinus sylvestris L., Picea abies (L.) Karst., Abies alba Mill., and Larix decidua (L.). Thanks to the DNA profiles established on the basis of minimum 4 microsatellite nuclear DNA loci, and at least one cytoplasmic organelle (mitochondrial or chloroplast) DNA marker, the determination of the DNA profiles provided fast and reliable comparison between material of evidence (also wood and needles) and material of reference (first of all tree stumps) in the forest. These data strongly supported the decision taken by several District Courts in Poland, as far as the
The work detailed here in the context of the above project sought to determine changes in the gene pool (at the DNA level) in a stand of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), under the influence of various kinds of forest-tending cuts. The experimental area on which the research was focused is located in Poland’s Ostrów Mazowiecka Forest District. Genetic structure was specified using five nuclear SSR sequences and six chloroplast SSR loci, while the five thinning variants trialled were sanitation cutting, low thinning of 30% intensity, schematic thinning, selective thinning and destructive lumbering. The control variant was left untreated. It was virtual rather than real-life thinning that was pursued, using the ForestSimulator BWINPro program. Changes in the structure of the stand after a further 10 years were also simulated. The different thinning variants were shown to cause change in the gene pool and level of genetic diversity of trees in the study area. In terms of maintaining genetic variability in the stand, the least-favourable method proved to be thinning from below. Destructive selection cutting was in turn most beneficial in terms of the preservation of genetic structure, with the reduction in rare alleles being more limited than in any other analysed variant. It was with the selective thinning variant that the final number of trees, stand structure and level of genetic variation resembled the situation in the control most closely. This suggests that selective thinning provides for a rather accurate replication of processes occurring in nature.
The paper describes a number of molecular methods used in the past and now to analyze forest tree species. Taking into account the economic importance of forest trees and in view of the timber economy, wood properties and characteristics are essential factors subjected to control, observation and research. Molecular techniques that support traditional selection methods allow for genetic diversity analyses considering a range of research aspects. The development of these techniques at the turn of the last two decades has enabled wide-ranging use of molecular data in studies on forest tree populations. On the example of pine (Pinus L.), the paper presents data based on molecular studies as well as a variety of possibilities to apply the obtained results.
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