Utility of chloroplast DNA haplotype data for ecological restoration using Fagus crenata seedlings in case of incomplete seed source information availability

Abstract

Forest trees species are often genetically adapted to local environmental conditions. Therefore, local seeds are recommended for ecological restoration.However, seedlings of broad-leaved tree species, such as Japanese beech (Fagus crenata), are limited in their commercial seedling production in Japan.Thus, long-distance transfer of seeds and/or seedlings is common. F. crenata's distinct geographical structure is well known; large-scale seed transfer may

Possible northern persistence of Siebold’s beech, Fagus crenata, at its northernmost distribution limit on an island in Japan Sea: Okushiri Island, Hokkaido

“…These vegetational data might afford circumstantial evidence to support the existence of relict F. crenata populations on Okushiri Island. In addition, Takahashi et al (2022) revealed that the leaf area of F. crenata with haplotype B was significantly smaller than that of haplotype A individuals, which might be adapted to the dry winter environment, namely short snowcover period.…”

“…We determined the cpDNA haplotypes of each population by SNPs according to the method described by Katai et al. (2014) ; Takahashi et al. (2022) .…”

“…It has been revealed that there are two chloroplast (cp)DNA haplotypes in these regions, that is, A (GenBank: AB046492.1) and B (GenBank: AB046493.1) (Fujii et al, 2002). We determined the cpDNA haplotypes of each population by SNPs according to the method described by Katai et al (2014); Takahashi et al (2022). The first polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to amplify trnK fragment by 0.2 µM final concentration of each forward (5'-TTATTCTTAGCGGATCGGTCCA-3') and reverse (5'-CCGTGCTTGCATCTTTCATTG-3') primer using Multiplex PCR Kit (Qiagen K. K., Tokyo, Japan) containing 10 to 30 ng of genomic DNA in a final volume of 6 µl.…”

Preface: Listen to the voices of local beech forests: An ecological and evolutionary conception of beech under phylogenetic and environmental constraints

“…If we consider various beech forests within a local region, the current populations exist as a result of adapting to different habitats over the tens of millions of years since the first occurrence of Fagus (Hara, 2023; Momohara & Ito, 2023), even under evolutionary constraints. This special feature includes papers about the plasticity and local adaptation of local beech trees (Kabeya & Han, 2023; Rooney et al, 2023; Sugimoto & Ishida, 2023; Takahashi et al, 2023). Moreover, as beech habitats are usually adjacent to the range of human activities, human beings have historically used resources derived from local beech forests (Aiba et al, 2023).…”