Abstract
In the area of the western Balkans, xerothermal broad-leaf forests hold a very special position, the main species being pubescent oak (<em>Quercus pubescens</em> Willd.). The study comprises 36 populations of pubescent oak from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania and Macedonia. Genetic variability and population diversity was analysed on chloroplast DNA in order to determine to which haplotype an individual or studied population belongs, as well as how they are related. For the detection of one haplotype analysed four sequences (AS, TF, DT and CD) on the chloroplasts DNA. The results of the analysis suggest that there are six different haplotypes of pubescent oak (2, 4, 5, 17, 31, 33) in the studied populations. Two more sub-haplotypes were found in haplotype 5 (a and b), but only in populations occurring in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The results suggest the great variability of pubescent oak in the researched area, which is generally characteristic of other species from the area of the Balkan Peninsula. The results obtained by means of cpDNA analysis can help in the formation of seed zones. However, due to the strong selection pressure of unplanned logging, and the possible introduction of herbal material of unknown origin, it is necessary to find a sufficient number of autochthonous entities (i.e., populations of the researched species) as well as new suitable markers for their characterization. The results of this paper constitute a scientifically recognised, partial examination of the origin of the starting forest reproductive material from the broader geographic area, thus serving future projects on its regeneration.
Highlights
IntroductionPubescent oak (Quercus pubescens Willd.) is one of the most important types of broad-leaf trees in the Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean areas, including the western part of the Balkan Peninsula comprised of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania and Macedonia (Trinajstiæ 1986)
The results suggest the great variability of pubescent oak in the researched area, which is generally characteristic of other species from the area of the Balkan Peninsula
Pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens Willd.) is one of the most important types of broad-leaf trees in the Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean areas, including the western part of the Balkan Peninsula comprised of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania and Macedonia (Trinajstiæ 1986)
Summary
Pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens Willd.) is one of the most important types of broad-leaf trees in the Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean areas, including the western part of the Balkan Peninsula comprised of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania and Macedonia (Trinajstiæ 1986). According to Stefanoviæ (1977) and Trinajstiæ (1986), this type of forest covers huge areas in Istria and the islands of Krk and Cres, the Mediterranean and continental sub-Mediterranean parts of Croatia, Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania This type of pubescent oak forest can be found in three zones: warm, moderate and cold. In inland areas, this type of forest can be found even in the high Dinaric mountains, where on the southern warm slopes it reaches as high as 900 m above sea level, especially on the edges of Karst valleys. The xerothermal character of the forest is determined by the sub-Mediterranean climate, which is characterized by warm and dry summers, and specific orthographic and edaphic conditions that lend themselves to thermophilic vegetation (Stefanoviæ et al 1983)
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