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

PREMOLI, ANDREA C.; MATHIASEN, PAULA; ACOSTA, M. CRISTINA

Piracicaba

Encuentro; 29º ENCONTRO SOBRE TEMAS DE GENÉTICA E MELHORAMENTO Tema:"GENÔMICA POPULACIONAL E GENÉTICA DA CONSERVAÇÃO"; 2012

Departamento de Genética da Escola Superior de Agricultura ?Luiz de Queiroz? (ESALQ/USP)

The study of multiple populations and species of a given region using molecular markers is a valuable tool to design conservation strategies. These maybe 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 maybe 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 maybe 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.