Molecular and ecological characterisation of plant populations from limed and metal-contaminated sites in Northern Ontario (Canada): ISSR analysis of white birch (Betula papyrifera) populations

Abstract

The Greater Sudbury region in Northern Ontario is known as one of Canada's most ecologically disturbed regions because of the effects of heavy metal pollution. The main objectives of the present study were to assess the effects of soil liming of sites contaminated with metals on species richness and abundance, forest health in general, and to determine the level of genetic variability in white birch populations from Northern Ontario. Shannon-Wiener diversity index and tree species richness values were higher in populations from limed and control sites compared to the unlimed areas. A significant improvement in forest population health (measured using a scale of 1 to 10) in limed sites over the unlimed areas was observed. Key results revealed no significant difference for metal content in white birch (Betula papyrifera) leaves from limed compared to unlimed sites. But higher levels of Al, Ca, Mg, Mn, Ni, Sr, and Zn in leaves compared to the bioavailable amount in soil were observed. The levels of genetic variability in white birch populations were moderate to high, ranging from 30% to 79% of polymorphic loci. A high level of genetic variability such as observed in the present study is usually associated with long term sustainability in plant populations. No association was found between metal accumulation in soil or plants and the levels of genetic variation.