| Affiliation: | 1. Research Institute of Natural Science (RINS), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828 Republic of Korea;2. Division of Plant Resources, Korea National Arboretum, Yangpyeong, 12519 Republic of Korea;3. Botanic Institute of Barcelona (IBB, CSIC-Ajuntament de Barcelona), Barcelona, Catalonia, 08038 Spain;4. School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650504 China Provided translation of the abstract into Chinese.;5. Botanical Gardens, Tohoku University, Aoba, Sendai, 980-0862, Japan;6. Department of Life Sciences, Hallym University, Chuncheon, 24252 Republic of Korea;7. Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602 U.S.A.;8. Division of Life Science and the RINS, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828 Republic of Korea |
| Abstract: | Reviews that summarize the genetic diversity of plant species in relation to their life history and ecological traits show that forest trees have more genetic diversity at population and species levels than annuals or herbaceous perennials. In addition, among-population genetic differentiation is significantly lower in trees than in most herbaceous perennials and annuals. Possible reasons for these differences between trees and herbaceous perennials and annuals have not been discussed critically. Several traits, such as high rates of outcrossing, long-distance pollen and seed dispersal, large effective population sizes (Ne), arborescent stature, low population density, longevity, overlapping generations, and occurrence in late successional communities, may make trees less sensitive to genetic bottlenecks and more resistant to habitat fragmentation or climate change. We recommend that guidelines for genetic conservation strategies be designed differently for tree species versus other types of plant species. Because most tree species fit an LH scenario (low [L] genetic differentiation and high [H] genetic diversity), tree seeds could be sourced from a few populations distributed across the species’ range. For the in situ conservation of trees, translocation is a viable option to increase Ne. In contrast, rare herbaceous understory species are frequently HL (high differentiation and low diversity) species. Under the HL scenario, seeds should be taken from many populations with high genetic diversity. In situ conservation efforts for herbaceous plants should focus on protecting habitats because the typically small populations of these species are vulnerable to the loss of genetic diversity. The robust allozyme genetic diversity databases could be used to develop conservation strategies for species lacking genetic information. As a case study of reforestation with several tree species in denuded areas on the Korean Peninsula, we recommend the selection of local genotypes as suitable sources to prevent adverse effects and to insure the successful restoration in the long term. |
