Contributions of population genetics to tree conservation: Challenges under changing scenarios

PREMOLI, A.C., P. MATHIASEN & M.C. ACOSTA

Piracicaba

Encuentro; GENÔMICA POPULACIONAL E GENÉTICA DA CONSERVAÇÃO; 2012

Universidad de San Pablo ESALQ

The study of multiple populations and species of a given region using molecular markers is a valuable tool to design conservation strategies. These may be guided by the analysis of species of conservation concern such as those under threat or endangered. Some of such species have a restricted range and thus may be genetically depauperate as a result of genetic drift that tends to erode genetic diversity within populations. Nonetheless, genetic analysis of species pairs occurring in sympatric populations show that range alone may not be sufficient to explain genetic patterns. On the other hand, while widespread woody taxa may be relatively common through a region, those occurring as almost pure populations may also be of conservation value given that an entire community depends upon them. This is particularly the case of species that inhabit environments prone to suffer from changes in climate such as altitudinal gradients of temperate regions. Although neutral markers may yield information on patterns of genetic diversity with elevation, quantitative traits including ecophysiological characteristics from experimental trails can be used as a valuable tool to predict species responses under warming.