Ecogeographical analysis of the distribution of six Trifolium species in Sardinia

Abstract

Collections of six species of Trifolium (Fabaceae) were made at 16 sites across the island of Sardinia in June/July 1998 and detailed ecogeographic information was recorded at each site. The six species collected were the inbreeding T. glomeratum, T. subterraneum and T. tomentosum, and the outcrossing T. nigrescens, T. michelianum and T. resupinatum. A principal components analysis and canonical variate analysis were conducted to group the sites, using the ecogeographical variables collected at each site. The variables that were found to be most important in grouping the sites were: mean January and July temperature, mean annual rainfall, latitude, longitude and soil pH. None of the six species were limited to only one ecogeographical group. However, it was often found to be only one or two variables that were determining their distribution. It is suggested that more detailed analysis of ecogeographic data of collection sites will become vital for improved planning of future collection missions, as the cost of collections and genetic erosion increases.