Patterns of genetic variation in tree species

PREMOLI, A.C.; DEL CASTILLO, R.F.; NEWTON, A.; BEKESSY, S.; CALDIZ, M.; MATHIASEN, P.;MARTINEZ, C.; NUÑEZ, M.; QUIROGA, P.; SOUTO, C.; TRUJILLO, S.

Biodiversity Conservation, Restoration and sustainable Use in Fragmented Landscapes

CAB Bioscience

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2007; p. 1 - 62

Knowledge of distribution patterns of genetic variation in plants is important for informing conservation strategies. The theoretical basis of conservation genetics resides in the fact that preservation of genetic variability is essential to the maintenance of evolutionary potential of natural populations (Frankel & Soulé 1981). In recent years, the protection of genetic diversity within species has become a primary goal of biological conservation, and the use of genetic markers has been suggested as a valuable tool for achieving that goal particularly for endemic tree species (Premoli 1998; Newton et al. 1999). However, some debate has arisen over the relative importance of ecological and genetic factors in the survival of species and populations (Lande 1988; Falk & Holsinger 1991; Schmeske et al. 1994; Hamrick & Godt 1996).  Although the persistence of most species over the short term depends upon demographic and environmental threats, genetic variability also needs to be considered in planning effective long-term conservation strategies (Mace et al. 1996).  Moreover, loss of genetic diversity may be of important short-term demographic consequences, due to factors such as inbreeding depression or loss of self-incompatible S alleles (Young et al. 2000).