Drivers of genetic diversity in plant populations differ between semi-natural grassland types

Reisch, Christoph; Lehmair, Theresa Anna; Pagel, Ellen

doi:10.1007/s10531-021-02260-1

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 57 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Population size via population genetic consequences, therefore, represents an important, but interestingly not the most important factor shaping ITV in T. montanum populations. The here investigated positive relationships among population size, genetic diversity, and ITV as an indicator for performance (e.g., Hensen et al, 2005 ; Leimu et al, 2006 ; Reisch et al, 2021 ; Rosche et al, 2022 ), and among genetic diversity, habitat heterogeneity, and ITV (e.g., Karbstein, Prinz, et al, 2020 ; Waitt & Levin, 1998 ) are consistent with literature. In general, small as opposed to large T. montanum populations are characterized by medium to extreme environmental habitat factor and functional trait values (several niche pessima), higher (LAI, soil K and pH) and lower (soil depth and N, altitude) variability of certain abiotic environmental factors, lowered genetic diversity, elevated inbreeding and differentiation, and finally lower ITV and performance (Table 5 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…Accordingly, although abiotic environment can act on genetic diversity via natural selection (Linhardt & Grant, 1996;Reisch et al, 2021;Sakaguchi et al, 2019), we did not detect selective pressure here, likely due to the applied neutral marker type and to insufficient abiotic selective pressures within habitats (Figure 4). Increased ITV based on functional traits (i.e., number of different functional phenotypes, e.g., small-high plants with low-high biomass tender-robust leaves, and low-high stomatal conductance) and healthy individuals (i.e., moderate to high photosynthetic performance and stress indicators) shows that many large populations perform well under given environmental conditions and concerning their genetic background, implying positive plant performance.…”

Section: Environment Population Size Genetics and Itvmentioning

confidence: 66%

“…Second, variation in habitat quality, age, and structure across the species' distribution range can also affect these relationships. For instance, suitable habitat quality (niche optimum) typically leads to large populations with high growth rates, whereas poor habitat quality (niche pessimum) leads to small populations with low growth rates, resulting in changes in genetic diversity, performance, and fitness (Leimu et al, 2006 ; Karbstein, Prinz, et al, 2020 ; Reisch et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Population size affected by environmental variability impacts genetics, traits, and plant performance in Trifolium montanum L.

Karbstein

Römermann

Hellwig

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Population size, genetic diversity, and performance have fundamental importance for ecology, evolution, and nature conservation of plant species. Despite well‐studied relationships among environmental, genetic, and intraspecific trait variation (ITV), the influence of population size on these aspects is less understood. To assess the sources of population size variation, but also its impact on genetic, functional trait, and performance aspects, we conducted detailed population size estimations, assessed 23 abiotic and biotic environmental habitat factors, performed population genetic analyses using nine microsatellite markers, and recorded nine functional traits based on 260 Trifolium montanum individuals from 13 semi‐dry grassland locations of Central Europe. Modern statistical analyses based on a multivariate framework (path analysis) with preselected linear regression models revealed that the variation of abiotic factors (in contrast to factors per se) almost completely, significantly explained fluctuations in population size (R2 = .93). In general, abiotic habitat variation (heterogeneity) was not affected by habitat area. Population size significantly explained genetic diversity (NA: R2 = .42, Ho: R2 = .67, He: R2 = .43, and I: R2 = .59), inbreeding (FIS: R2 = .35), and differentiation (GST: R2 = .20). We also found that iFDCV (ITV) was significantly explained by abiotic habitat heterogeneity, and to a lesser extent by genetic diversity He (R2 = .81). Nevertheless, habitat heterogeneity did not statistically affect genetic diversity. This may be due to the use of selectively neutral microsatellite markers, and possibly by insufficient abiotic selective pressures on habitats examined. Small T. montanum populations in nonoptimal habitats were characterized by reduced genetic and functional trait diversity, and elevated genetic inbreeding and differentiation. This indicates reduced adaptability to current and future environmental changes. The long‐term survival of small populations with reduced genetic diversity and beginning inbreeding will be highly dependent on habitat protection and adequate land‐use actions.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Environment Population Size Genetics and Itvmentioning

confidence: 66%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Population size affected by environmental variability impacts genetics, traits, and plant performance in Trifolium montanum L.

Karbstein

Römermann

Hellwig

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Building up a network of genetic conservation areas – A comprehensive approach to select target sites for the preservation of genetic variation in wild plant species

Pagel

Lehmair²,

Poschlod³

et al. 2022

Biological Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Intraspecific genetic variation among

Roy

Malaviya²,

Kaushal³

et al. 2022

Crop & Pasture Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Context The genus Sehima is an important component of grasslands worldwide and is the dominant grass of Sehima–Dichanthium grasslands of India. It is an excellent fodder and a good source of lignocellulosic material and several industrially important biomolecules. Aims We aimed to characterise and conserve locally adapted diverse germplasm of S. nervosum, collected from different agro-climatic zones, for effective utilisation. Methods Morphological and nutritive traits were measured and statistically analysed for diversity in a germplasm collection of S. nervosum genotypes from diverse agro-climatic conditions of India, and a representative core subset was created. Key results Morphological traits and nutritive parameters such as crude protein content and digestibility showed wide variability among accessions. Principal component analysis established that plant height, number of tillers per tussock and number of nodes per tiller accounted for half of the variation present. Tiller internode length, stem diameter, and leaf blade length and width also contributed >5 unit points each to the cumulative proportion of variance accounted for. Conclusions The set of germplasm, possessing substantial variability, is a valuable genetic resource for developing new cultivars. Genotypes identified with high protein content could be used as forage, and those with high cellulose and hemicelluloses as a biofuel resource. Implications Genotypes can be separately identified for forage and biofuel, and the core subset can effectively be used for evaluation and selection of genotypes in target environments. Additionally, the core subset can be used to establish and rejuvenate sustainable pastures by allowing natural selection.

show abstract

Drivers of genetic diversity in plant populations differ between semi-natural grassland types

Cited by 3 publications

References 57 publications

Population size affected by environmental variability impacts genetics, traits, and plant performance in Trifolium montanum L.

Population size affected by environmental variability impacts genetics, traits, and plant performance in Trifolium montanum L.

Building up a network of genetic conservation areas – A comprehensive approach to select target sites for the preservation of genetic variation in wild plant species

Intraspecific genetic variation among

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About