Abstract
Developing “climate smart forestry” (CSF) indicators in mountain forest regions requires collection and evaluation of local data and their attributes. Genetic resources are listed among the core indicators for forest biological diversity. This study is a report on the evaluation of the standing genetic diversity within and across 12 pure beech stands (Fagus sylvatica L.) established within the CLIMO (CLImate Smart Forestry in MOuntain Regions) project, using nuclear microsatellite markers. The sampling sites were set along the species’ distribution range, including the Balkan region and extending towards the Iberian Peninsula. Cores or leaves from 20 to 23 old, mature trees per plot were sampled for DNA analysis. Genetic diversity indices were high across the range (HE = 0.74−0.81) with the highest in the Bosnian Mountains. Genetic divergence increased significantly with the geographical distance (Mantel test: r = 0.81, p < 0.001). Most of the stands exhibited an excess of heterozygotes, with the highest value at the Hungarian site (HO/HE = 1.177), where beech persists close to the eastern xeric limit of the species’ distribution. STRUCTURE revealed within-region differentiation in the Balkan Peninsula, where the Bulgarian stand was the most outstanding. The genetic parameters of each stand could be assessed as a resource for CSF indicators interpreted especially at the local level.
Highlights
IntroductionClimate smart forestry (CSF) may significantly invigorate the positive effects of forests and provide further benefits for sustainable ecosystems (Nabuurs et al 2018)
Forests play an important role in the mitigation of the effects of climate change
Genetic resources are listed as part of the core group of climate smart forestry (CSF) indicators for “forest biological diversity” (Bowditch et al 2020); these indicators contribute in the evaluation of forest health and vitality, which may strengthen adaptation and mitigation measures and are crucial for protecting and maintaining other forest functions and services
Summary
Climate smart forestry (CSF) may significantly invigorate the positive effects of forests and provide further benefits for sustainable ecosystems (Nabuurs et al 2018). Regional environmental conditions as well as traditional forest management may strongly differ; the overall integrated survey and development of indicators creates good possibilities for revealing the synergies, evaluating local aspects, and building up local strategies for sustaining resilient forests. A total of 29 indicators for assessing CSF were selected; they refer to adaptation and mitigation strategies, considering the benefits that forests provide to the society. Genetic resources are listed as part of the core group of CSF indicators for “forest biological diversity” (Bowditch et al 2020); these indicators contribute in the evaluation of forest health and vitality, which may strengthen adaptation and mitigation measures and are crucial for protecting and maintaining other forest functions and services. Genetic characteristics of living tree populations depend on the historical demography of populations, ancestral dynamics of the effective population size, expansions, declines or divergence at geological time scale (Hewitt 2004)
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