Banking on the future: progress, challenges and opportunities for the genetic conservation of forest trees

Potter, Kevin M.; Jetton, Robert M.; Bower, Andrew D.; Jacobs, Douglass F.; Man, Gary; Hipkins, Valerie D.; Westwood, Murphy

doi:10.1007/s11056-017-9582-8

Cited by 65 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 103 publications

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“…An important indicator of genetic resource conservation is the amount of genetic diversity, which is widely recognized as a key determinant of the long-term survival of species [10,11]. Genetic diversity in forests is determined by gene flow, genetic drift, selection, mutation, and other processes [12,13], and it provides the raw material for the adaptation, evolution, and survival of species under changing environmental conditions [14,15]. Another indicator is population structure, which is the distribution pattern of genes and genotypes in time and space, which is informative for understanding genetic diversity [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Natural Pinus koraiensis Populations

Tong

Lewis

Zhou

et al. 2019

Forests

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Studying the genetic diversity and population structure of natural forest populations is essential for evaluating their ability to survive under future environmental changes and establishing conservation strategies. Pinus koraiensis is a conifer species with high ecological and economic value in Northeast China. However, its natural forests have been greatly reduced in recent years, mostly due to over exploitation and over utilization. Here, we evaluated the genetic diversity and population structure of seven populations of P. koraiensis located throughout its native distribution. A total of 204 samples were genotyped with nine polymorphic nuclear SSR (simple sequence repeat) markers. The results showed high genetic diversity in all populations, with an average expected heterozygosity of 0.610, and the northern-most populations (Dailin (DL) and Fenglin (FL)) showed slightly higher diversity than the other five populations. The level of genetic differentiation among populations was very low (FST = 0.020). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that only 2.35% of the genetic variation existed among populations. Moreover, STRUCTURE analysis clearly separated the seven populations into two clusters. Populations DL and FL from the Xiaoxinganling Mountains comprised cluster I, while cluster II included the five populations from the Changbai Mountains and adjacent highlands. Our research on the genetic diversity and population structure of P. koraiensis in natural forests of China can provide a basis for the implementation of programs for the conservation and utilization of P. koraiensis genetic resources in the future.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Natural Pinus koraiensis Populations

Tong

Lewis

Zhou

et al. 2019

Forests

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“…Thus, the adaptive potential of beech to changing environmental conditions is of considerable importance. The adaptive potential is directly related to the level of genetic diversity in relevant genes, and it provides the basis for adaptation and resilience to environmental stress and change [12]. Neutral genetic diversity may also indirectly reflect population fitness being a good indicator of effective population size and total diversity [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Variation of European Beech Populations and Their Progeny from Northeast Germany to Southwest Switzerland

Müller

Cuervo-Alarcon

Gailing

et al. 2018

Forests

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Climate change can adversely affect the growth of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) across its entire distribution range. Therefore, knowledge of the adaptive potential of this species to changing climatic conditions is of foremost importance. Genetic diversity is the basis for adaptation to environmental stress, and the regeneration phase of forests is a key stage affecting genetic diversity. Nevertheless, little is known about the effect of climate change on the genetic diversity of adult trees compared to their progeny. Here, we present genetic diversity data for 24 beech populations ranging from northeast Germany to southwest Switzerland. Potentially adaptive genetic variation was studied using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in candidate genes that are possibly involved in adaptive trait variation. In addition, more than 2000 adult trees and 3000 of their seedlings were genotyped with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to determine selectively neutral genetic diversity and differentiation among populations. All populations showed high SSR and SNP variation, and no differences in genetic diversity were found between adult trees and their offspring. The genetic differentiation between adults and seedlings within the same stands was also insignificant or very low. Therefore, we can conclude tentatively that the transfer of genetic variation among tree generations, currently, is not much affected by climate change, at least in the studied beech populations.

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“…The number of threatened and endangered forest tree species continues to rise, and the practical restoration of such species is complex due to the need for effective integration of technology, ecology and society (Jacobs et al 2013). Thus, the genetic conservation of tree species has become an urgent global necessity as this provides the essential basis for the adaptation and resilience of tree species to environmental stress and change (Potter et al 2017). While knowledge of historical species range distributions can help to guide restoration targets (Dalgleish et al 2015), shifts in frost hardiness zones, drought severity indices and presence or absence of species competitors will drive species regional adaptiveness in the future.…”

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confidence: 99%

Restoring forests: regeneration and ecosystem function for the future

et al. 2019

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Conventions and policies for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation state the need for increased protection, restoration and climate change adaptation of forests. Much degraded land may be targeted for large-scale forest restoration, yet challenges include costs, a shortage of regeneration material and the need for restored forests to serve as a resource for communities. To ensure ecosystem function for the future, forest restoration programs must: (1) learn from the past; (2) integrate ecological knowledge; (3) advance regeneration techniques and systems; (4) overcome biotic and abiotic disturbances and (5) adapt for future forest landscapes. Historical forest conditions, while site-specific, may help to identify the processes that leave long-term legacies in current forests and to understand tree migration biology/population dynamics and their relationship with climate change. Ecological theory around plant-plant interactions has shown the importance of negative (competition) and positive (facilitation) interactions for restoration, which will become more relevant with increasing drought due to climate change. Selective animal browsing influences plant-plant interactions and challenges restoration efforts to establish species-rich forests; an integrated approach is needed to simultaneously manage ungulate populations, landscape carrying capacity and browse-tolerant regeneration. A deeper understanding of limiting factors that affect plant establishment will facilitate nursery and site preparation systems to overcome inherent restoration challenges. Severe anthropogenic disturbances connected to global change have created unprecedented pressure on forests, necessitating novel ecological engineering, genetic conservation of tree species and landscape-level approaches that focus on creating functional ecosystems in a cost-effective manner.

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Banking on the future: progress, challenges and opportunities for the genetic conservation of forest trees

Cited by 65 publications

References 103 publications

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Natural Pinus koraiensis Populations

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Natural Pinus koraiensis Populations

Genetic Variation of European Beech Populations and Their Progeny from Northeast Germany to Southwest Switzerland

Restoring forests: regeneration and ecosystem function for the future

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