The effects of reproduction dynamics on the genetic diversity of forest trees

Norway maple populations are genetically fairly different

The effects of different reproduction strategies on genetic diversity were studied. The Norway maple (Acer plantanoides) and pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) were studied to determine whether there is within-population clustering of relatives that could be explained by insect-pollination or wind-pollination, and whether it affects the genetic variation of the maple and oak stands.

Genetic variation in Finnish populations of Norway maple was relatively large showing rather large differentiation between the populations.

Contrary to expectation, in the geographically wider material representing maple populations from central Europe, variation was approximately at the same level for insect-pollinated Norway maple and effectively wind-pollinated birch (B. pendula). The stands of pedunculate oak were less differentiated than those of Norway maple, yet differentiation between stands was higher than in central Europe. The results benefit gene conservation as well as the recommendations for safe seed transfers.

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