Abstract
Astragalus edulis (Fabaceae) is an endangered annual plant species from the western Mediterranean region. It occurs in the Iberian Peninsula (SE), Morocco (two main locations in the NE and SW), and the easternmost Canary Islands (Lanzarote and Fuerteventura). After a thorough study assessing genetic diversity and phylogeographic patterns, and a proposal of a management plan to preserve the genetic diversity across the entire area of the species, it is about time to go further in the species conservation. It is necessary to recognize genetically impoverished populations to be able to successfully reinforce populations and find realistic places for translocations. For this, Nei’s genetic diversity values were calculated for the three geographic areas and for their populations. Diversity values were further evaluated to calculate the optimal contribution for the populations within each area to maximize the genetic pool. To evaluate whether the optimum habitat for the species is expected to grow or decrease under a climate change scenario, the optimal model of current climatic suitability of A. edulis was projected into the IPCC (2070_RCP8.5) future scenario. The different geographical areas showed similar genetic diversity values. The populations that contribute to maximize the genetic pool in each geographic area were similar, but not equal, to those proposed in previous studies. The future potential habitat for the species shows a significant range decline, which will affect translocation efforts.
Highlights
Acquiring knowledge on species potential habitat, genetic diversity, and intraspecific phylogenetic relationships is essential to appropriately address species conservation (Commander et al, 2018)
The proposal of relevant genetic units for conservation (RGUCs) in Morocco was to preserve the populations AE8 and AE9; the results obtained here show that the optimal contributions to the genetic diversity of the Moroccan area would include these two populations with 44.1% and 15.3% respectively, and populations AE11 and AE13 with 17.5% and 23.1% of the total Moroccan optimal seed proportion
The genetic and geographic distance among populations make it difficult to encompass the majority of the genetic diversity with the preservation of the two populations proposed by the RGUCs method in the Moroccan area
Summary
The genetic patterns of biodiversity must be preserved as they hold the survival ability of the species (Pérez-Collazos et al, 2008). Human-mediated changes to ecosystems and the climate change threaten species survival (Leadley et al, 2010). These perturbations often promote habitat fragmentation leading to isolation and limitation of gene flow among populations. Species genetic diversity will be negatively affected (Young & Clarke, 2000). This isolation implies a decrease in the resilience of populations when facing environmental changes. Urgent conservation measures and restoration plans are required given the current scenario of biodiversity loss due to rapid environmental change (Christmas et al, 2016; IUCN, 1998)
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