Global to local genetic diversity indicators of evolutionary potential in tree species within and outside forests

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThere is a general trend of biodiversity loss at global, regional, national and local levels. To monitor this trend, international policy processes have created a wealth of indicators over the last two decades. However, genetic diversity indicators are regrettably absent from comprehensive bio-monitoring schemes. Here, we provide a review and an assessment of the different attempts made to provide such indicators for tree genetic diversity from the global level down to the level of the management unit. So far, no generally accepted indicators have been provided as international standards, nor tested for their possible use in practice. We suggest that indicators for monitoring genetic diversity and dynamics should be based on ecological and demographic surrogates of adaptive diversity as well as genetic markers capable of identifying genetic erosion and gene flow. A comparison of past and present genecological distributions (patterns of genetic variation of key adaptive traits in the ecological space) of selected species is a realistic way of assessing the trend of intra-specific variation, and thus provides a state indicator of tree genetic diversity also able to reflect possible pressures threatening genetic diversity. Revealing benefits of genetic diversity related to ecosystem services is complex, but current trends in plantation performance offer the possibility of an indicator of benefit. Response indicators are generally much easier to define, because recognition and even quantification of, e.g. research, education, breeding, conservation, and regulation actions and programs are relatively straightforward. Only state indicators can reveal genetic patterns and processes, which are fundamental for maintaining genetic diversity. Indirect indicators of pressure, benefit, or response should therefore not be used independently of state indicators. A coherent set of indicators covering diversity-productivity-knowledge-management based on the genecological approach is proposed for application on appropriate groups of tree species in the wild and in cultivation worldwide. These indicators realistically reflect the state, trends and potentials of the world's tree genetic resources to support sustainable growth. The state of the genetic diversity will be based on trends in species population distribution and diversity patterns for selected species. The productivity of the genetic resource of trees in current use will reflect the possible potential of mobilizing the resource further. Trends in knowledge will underpin the potential capacity for development of the resource and current management of the genetic resource itself will reveal how well we are actually doing and where improvements are required.

Identification of gene pools used in restoration and conservation by chloroplast microsatellite markers in Iberian pine species

“…The European Forest Genetic Resource Program (EUFORGEN) has defined different in-situ conservation units of the species, and the conservation program (Jimenez et al, 2009;Koskela et al, 2013) includes the definition of genetic criteria for restoration activities and for monitoring the conservation units (Aravanopoulos 2011;Graudal et al, 2014;Fussi et al, 2016). In our case, we could distinguish almost all the conservation populations considered in the study that will allow a better implementation of activities in Spain.…”

Ecological and association genetics in two Mediterranean pine species

“…The importance of forest genetic diversity for forest sustainability is widely recognized, but nevertheless usually ignored when developing indicators and guidelines for forest management under climate change Graudal et al 2014;Fady et al 2015).…”

“…Koskela et al 2013;Lefèvre et al 2013). However, despite significant improvements in recent decades, there are still several questions that need to be addressed, such as how to select target units for conservation and how many, how to assess their viability, and how to manage them (Graudal et al 2014).…”

Monitoring Changes in Genetic Diversity

“…A major challenge is that there is no consensus on what type of data (genetic or proxy) can effectively be used to monitor genetic diversity at the global level (Dulloo et al 2010;Pereira et al 2013;Graudal et al 2014). Although the molecular tools for measuring genetic diversity are well advanced and the cost becoming more affordable, as mentioned earlier, a major challenge remains to develop simple, inexpensive, and standardised means to monitor genetic diversity at a global scale (Frankham 2010).…”