Genetic Diversity and Its Spatial Distribution in Self-Regenerating Norway Spruce and Scots Pine Stands

Rita Verbylaitė,Jurga Jankauskienė,Vaidotas Lygis,Juozas Labokas,Alfas Pliūra,Vytautas Suchockas

doi:10.3390/f8120470

Abstract

Tree genetic diversity is among the most important factors determining the sustainability of forest ecosystems. The main aim of the present study was to track possible changes in genetic diversity of regenerating populations of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in areas subjected either to a natural disturbance (windthrows and subsequent clear-cutting of the affected spruce stand) or to a changed land-use legacy (pine regeneration on abandoned agricultural land) with the aim of testing whether the new forest generation retains the genetic diversity of the putative maternal stand. Eight highly polymorphic microsatellite loci were used to reveal the genetic diversity and its spatial distribution in the studied tree populations. Self-regenerating juveniles of Norway spruce and Scots pine were spatially random and as genetically diverse as in the putative maternal populations. Genetic differentiation between putatively maternal trees and regenerating juveniles was low for both species. A high genetic diversity and random spatial genetic structure revealed in the regenerating populations provides a basis for the formation of evolutionary and ecologically sound stands able to adapt to ever-changing climatic conditions. Information on the genetic dynamics of the studied natural populations of long-lived coniferous tree species may be important for evaluating possible changes in genetic diversity at a local scale following forest ecosystem disturbances and changes in land-use legacies.

Highlights

In Europe, most forests have experienced a long history of human intervention and impact on ecosystems
Our study suggests a likely model of genetic dynamics within natural populations of economically important long-lived coniferous tree species in Lithuania, which may be important for evaluating possible changes in genetic diversity at a local scale following forest ecosystem disturbances and changes in land-use legacies
The genetic diversity analysis based on eight nuclear microsatellite loci for each species showed that all examined Scots pine (n = 114) and Norway spruce (n = 113) trees represented unique microsatellite multi-locus genotypes (MLGs)

Summary

Introduction

In Europe, most forests have experienced a long history of human intervention and impact on ecosystems. Long generation times, large effective population sizes, efficient gene flow and the predominance of natural regeneration have contributed to the maintenance of high genetic variation in widespread tree species [1,2,3,4,5]. The genetic diversity of tree populations is a crucial factor ensuring the stability and functionality of a forest ecosystem [6]. Genetic diversity of forest tree species in Europe is considered to be sufficient to guarantee their survival and adaptation to changing climatic conditions [8,9].

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