Pollen dispersal, pollen immigration, mating and genetic diversity in restoration of the southern plains Banksia

Abstract

AbstractEvaluation of patterns of pollen dispersal, mating systems, population fitness, genetic diversity and differentiation in restoration and remnant plant populations can be useful in determining how well restoration activities have achieved their objectives. We used molecular tools to assess how well restoration objectives have been met for populations of Banksia media in the biodiversity hotspot of south-west Western Australia. We characterized patterns of pollen dispersal within, and pollen immigration into, two restoration populations. We compared mating system parameters, population fitness via seed weight, genetic diversity and genetic differentiation for restoration and associated reference remnant populations. Different patterns of pollen dispersal were revealed for two restoration sites that differed in floral display, spatial aggregation of founders and co-planted species. Proximity to remnant native vegetation was associated with enhanced immigration and more short-range pollen dispersal when other population variables were constant. Greater seed weights at remnant compared to restoration populations were not related to outcrossing rate. Equivalent mating system and genetic diversity parameters and low to moderate levels of genetic differentiation between restoration and remnant populations suggest pollinator services have been restored in genetically diverse restoration populations of local provenance B. media as early as four years from planting.