Metla Project 3302

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

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Duration: 2000-2003   Keywords: effective population size, fragmentation, genetic conservation, genetic diversity

Objectives

The effect of reproduction strategies on the effective population size will be analysed for forest tree species representing a variety of life history traits. The within population structure, with special emphasis on the possible clustering of relatives, and its effect on the overall genetic structure will be further studied on insect-pollinated Norway maple and wind-pollinated pedunculate oak. The spatial within-population structure will be estimated for both neutral and adaptive characters. The results benefit gene conservation as well as the recommendations for seed transfers.

Results

The effect of reproduction strategies on the effective population size is analysed for forest tree species representing a variety of life history traits. The within population structure, with special emphasis on the possible clustering of relatives, and its effect on the overall genetic structure is further studied on insect-pollinated Norway maple and wind-pollinated pedunculate oak. The spatial within-population structure is estimated for both neutral and adaptive characters. The results benefit gene conservation as well as the recommendations for seed transfers.

The average heterozygosity for 29 Norway maple populations in Finland has been measured and was 0.128 while the average genetic differentiation was 0.120. On broader geographic scale neutral variation has also been measured in 12 Acer platanoides and 9 Betula pendula populations. Both species grow in boreal-temperate zone, insect pollinated A. platanoides having a scattered occurrence and wind pollinated B. pendulaa more continuous distribution. The average expected heterozygosity for A.platanoides was 0.132 and for B. pendula 0.141. Genetic differentiation among A. platanoides populations (Fst = 0.097) was higher than that of B. pendula (Fst = 0.032). Expected heterozygosities in marginal and central populations of A. platanoides were approximately at same level. Contrary to the expectation, differentiation was higher among central populations.

Project leader: Rusanen, Mari
The Finnish Forest Research Institute, Vantaa Unit, PL 18, FI-01301 VANTAA, FINLAND
Phone: +358 29 532 5477
E-mail: mari.rusanen@metla.fi

Other researchers: Kärkkäinen, Katri, VA (2002), Luomajoki, Alpo, VA (2000-03), Salo, Kauko, JO (2002), Vakkari, Pekka, VA (2000-04)


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Updated 12.06.2012
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