Genetic variation of Fraxinus angustifolia natural populations in Greece based on nuclear and chloroplast microsatellite markers

Assessment of genetic variation within and among populations is an essential parameter for the effective conservation of forest genetic resources. In this work, the genetic diversity within and among natural populations of the forest tree species Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl in Greece was studied using selected nuclear and chloroplast microsatellite DNA loci. Eight natural populations of F. angustifolia were identified in different locations of the mainland of Greece, and a total of 230 individuals were studied. High polymorphism was observed within populations, while the genetic differentiation among populations was moderate. Intra-population diversity was correlated with geographical coordinates, but no isolation by distance was observed. Of the three haplotypes identified, only one was dominant. Putative ancestral haplotypes were found at small spatial scales suggesting that population expansions could have originated in the region. This study located in sympatry haplotypes that in other parts of Europe are in allopatry, reinforcing the notion of population expansions from the south of Balkans including Greece. Suggestions for conservation and management of F. angustifolia are also reported.     

Genetic similarity of natural populations and plantations of Pinus roxburghii Sarg. in Nepal

? Genetic structures of five population pairs each consisting of one natural population and one neighbouring plantation of Pinus roxburghii Sarg. in Nepal were assessed using nuclear (nSSRs) and chloroplast microsatellite loci (cpSSRs).

? The mean number of alleles at nSSRs loci in natural populations was 5.0 compared to 4.93 in plantations while the average observed heterozygosities were the same in both groups (H ₀ = 0.50). Most of the alleles were common to all the populations, indicating that the populations correspond to a single genetic entity. Similarly forty-seven haplotypes were observed in natural populations compared to fifty haplotypes in plantations. Mean haplotype diversities of natural populations (0.953) and plantations (0.955) were very similar. Genetic diversity of Pinus roxburghii was relatively high with low or no evidence of inbreeding while genetic differentiation among all populations was very low (about 1%).

? The very low differentiation among natural populations indicates efficient long-distance gene flow among populations resulting in homogeneous genetic structures at least at selectively neutral loci. Even though the harvest and production of seeds and seedlings was largely uncontrolled, genetic structures of most plantations show no signs of reduced variation, inbreeding or other negative effects compromising the adaptedness or adaptability of planted forests.

     

Distribution of carabid beetles among 40-year-old regenerating plantations and 100-year-old naturally regenerated forests in Southwestern China

Effects of reforestation by native tree species on species assemblages of carabid beetles were studied between 40-year-old regenerating plantations and 100-year naturally regenerated forests in Southwestern China. Two old naturally regenerated forest types (ca.100 years old) were chosen: hemlock-spruce forests (Tsuga chinensis and Picea brachytyla) and birch forests (Betula albo-sinensis). Three young regenerating forest types (ca. 40 years old), including spruce plantations (P. brachytyla), larch plantations (Larix kaempferi and Larix mastersian), and natural broad-leaved forests, were established after the logging of the old naturally regenerated forests. Using pitfall traps, we compared the distribution of carabid beetles in the five forest types. Three replicated plots for each forest type were chosen, and each plot was investigated with four trap sites twice each month during the growing season (May to October) in 2004. Our results showed that species richness and abundance were significantly higher in the young regenerating forests than in the old naturally regenerated forests. Analysis of complementarity in carabid species lists across the forest ages and types showed that the old naturally regenerated birch forests had the lowest similarity with the young regenerating larch plantations, and the highest similarity was shown between the two young regenerating plantations. Although PCoA ordination grouped the carabid assemblages according to forest type and forest age, the overall similarity among all forest types was high. Moreover, quantitative character species analysis did not detect significant species associated with forest types and ages. Based on the specificity and fidelity, most carabid species were abundant in all habitats, and only a few species were restricted in one or two forest types. Multiple linear regression between the species richness, abundance and Shannon diversity of carabids and of five environmental variables showed that the cover of canopy and herbaceous layer, and the depth of leaf litter had significant effects in determining richness, abundance and diversity of carabid beetles. Thus, the young regenerating forests at the mature stage could provide an appropriate habitat for most forest species of carabids survived in adjacent old naturally regenerated forests and might replace the role in part of the old-growth forests in sustaining the diversity of carabid assemblages. But some species are still restricted in old naturally regenerated forests, so in order to protect the diversity of carabid assemblages, it is necessary to sustain the intact old naturally regenerated forests when reforesting with some native tree species following natural succession.     

Assignment testing reveals multiple introduced source populations including potential ash hybrids (Fraxinus excelsior × F. angustifolia) in Ireland

Large-scale reforestation programmes are a major source of unwarranted gene flow and can have profound consequences on local genetic diversity. Recently, ash has been introduced to Ireland from continental Europe to stock plantations but has often exhibited poor stem form. It was not known whether these trees were Fraxinus excelsior, Fraxinus angustifolia or interspecific hybrids that are known to occur in continental Europe. F. excelsior is the only native ash in Ireland, so the introduced populations represent a potential threat for the genetic diversity of native populations. We characterized the introduced trees within two plantations (Clonee and Kildalkey) using morphological characters and six microsatellite markers. Samples from continental Europe were included for comparison. Plantations exhibited higher genetic diversity than control populations because our data suggest they contain a mixture of several provenances. There was a small but significant differentiation between plantations and control populations (Ф_CT = 0.0211). Bayesian analysis to infer population structure and to assign introduced individuals to reference populations clearly demonstrated the presence of hybrid individuals within the plantations. The percentage of trees detected with potential hybrid origin ranged from 28 to 58 % depending on the plantation and the threshold data analysis level chosen. Most hybrids could be considered cryptic because there was a lack of intermediate morphology for hybrid individuals that mainly clustered with F. excelsior. The results indicated that the source of material at the two plantation sites differed. Management options to minimize the impact of these introduced populations are discussed.     

Do commercial forest plantations reduce pressure on natural forests? Evidence from forest policy reforms in Uganda

This paper investigates if and how the establishment of private commercial forest plantations in degraded forest reserves can conserve natural forests in Uganda. It uses difference-in-difference and decomposition analyses on household data collected from intervention and control villages in the neighborhood of forest reserves. We find that commercial forest plantations are weakly effective in conserving natural forests. The reduction in forest use is unevenly distributed across households depending on location and resource endowments such as farmland and livestock. The results suggest that the conservation effectiveness can be enhanced by complementary interventions that change characteristics that reduce forest use, such as more education for forest users.     

Assessment of morphological and genetic diversity in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gmelina arborea</Emphasis> Roxb.

Gmelina arborea is an important timber-yielding tree that grows naturally in the tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia and has also been introduced as a plantation species outside these regions. Genetic diversity in this tree species was observed in stone/seed-related traits and in vitro responses of cultured nodal segments from plants of eight different populations representing natural forests, fragmented forests and plantations. Variance analysis showed significant differences between populations for these traits. However, it was not possible to separate the different populations using these traits by multivariate analysis, even after environmental variation was reduced over six subcultures. Genetic diversity was therefore analysed using molecular markers. Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers yielded 95% polymorphic loci among the eight populations and UPGMA analysis enabled separation of these populations on the basis of their genetic distances. Diversity was also analyzed using population genetics parameters like Nei’s genetic diversity and gene differentiation. Nei’s genetic diversity was 0.29 between populations and 0.11 within populations. AMOVA analysis indicated 41 and 59% within- and between-population genetic diversity, respectively. Mantel test suggested that genetic differentiation between six Indian populations was positively correlated to geographic distance (r = 0.626, P = 0.029). Assessment of the genetic variation in G. arborea populations is an important step in selection of conservation strategies for this species since diversity forms the basis for species adaptation.     

云南绿春县天然次生林和4种人工林树冠层蚂蚁群落多样性

[目的]探讨天然次生林和人工林及人工林树种选择对树冠层蚂蚁群落多样性的影响。[方法]运用树栖蚂蚁陷阱法调查云南省绿春县天然次生林和4种人工林的树冠层蚂蚁群落、植物多样性及植物垂直密度变化。[结果](1)共采集蚂蚁标本17 998头,隶属于6亚科29属68种。(2)树冠层蚂蚁多度:紫胶林-玉米混农林紫胶林桉树林橡胶林天然次生林。(3)树冠层蚂蚁丰富度:紫胶林-玉米混农林紫胶林天然次生林橡胶林桉树林。(4)树冠层蚂蚁ACE估计值:紫胶林-玉米混农林紫胶林天然次生林桉树林橡胶林。(5)树冠层蚂蚁多度和丰富度与枯落物盖度、300 cm处垂直密度和乔木郁闭度呈显著或极显著负相关,而与植物盖度显著正相关;ACE估计值与枯落物盖度、草本植物盖度和乔木郁闭度显著负相关,与175 199.9 cm区段内垂直密度显著正相关。[结论]人工林对蚂蚁多样性保护有一定积极作用,尤其选择乡土树种保护效果更显著,对人工林进行合理的管理有利于保护生物多样性。     

Hybrid poplar plantations in a floodplain have balanced impacts on farmland and woodland birds

Hybrid poplar plantations are increasing worldwide and are often accused of impoverishing bird communities. We conducted 124 bird point counts in a landscape where plantations, semi-natural forests and farmland occupied similar surface areas. As expected, birds occurred at higher densities in areas dominated by forests than dominated by plantations, mostly due to the scarcity of late-successional forest birds in plantations. Contrary to expectations, bird communities were the poorest in farmland dominated areas and the most specialised in areas dominated by young plantations. Indeed, many grassland species, including some of conservation concern in Europe, frequently used young plantations. However, plantations have probably depleted grassland bird communities by fragmenting open areas, while playing a limited positive role on forest species. Total length of unpaved roads had a positive effect on community specialisation index, while total length of paved roads and mean forest/plantation patch size played no role. Bird density increased with the development of the understory vegetation in mature poplar plantations. We conclude that poplar should not be planted at the expense of areas of high conservation value; in other cases, they may increase the overall diversity of bird communities. At the plantation scale, we advocate stopping understory removal as soon as possible and maintaining old trees and hedgerows alongside or within plantations to provide suitable breeding habitats for bird species that may be foraging in the plantations.     

Potential use of pine plantations to restore native forests in a highly fragmented river basin

? In forests, the substitution of broadleaf species by conifers can reduce biodiversity because coniferous forests generally provide less diverse vascular understories than broadleaf forests. However, in some cases, former pine plantations might be useful for restoring native forests. We compared plant species composition on the plot scale in natural beech and mixed oak forests with that in plantations of Pinus radiata. Links between plant diversity and landscape parameters (patch size, fractal dimension and distance to the nearest patch of the same type) were investigated.

? The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of pine plantations for restoring native diversity in a zone where native forests are very fragmented.

? Similar to oak forests, plant diversity in pine plantations was high, mainly due to the presence of generalist species. Some species characteristic of oak forests also appeared in pine plantations, suggesting the onset of natural forest regeneration.

? These results suggest that pine plantations could be used to promote natural regeneration of original oak forests. Moreover, residual native stands should be conserved as important sources of native species and their seeds.

     

Diversity of northern plantations peaks at intermediate management intensity

Tree diversity is an important component of biodiversity. Management intensification is hypothesized to affect tree diversity. However, evidence to support the relationship between management intensity and tree diversity in northern forests is lacking. This study examined the effects of fertilization, site preparation, and brush control on tree species diversity, shade tolerance diversity and size diversity of jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.), white pine (Pinus strobus L.) and white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) plantations, 15 years after planting in Ontario, Canada. Species diversity and shade tolerance diversity were highly correlated, so were diameter size diversity and height size diversity. Fertilization did not affect the tree diversity indices of any plantations. Species diversity and shade tolerance diversity was interactively influenced by site preparation and brush control in the black spruce, white pine, and white spruce plantations, showing that the highest diversity occurred on sites with intensive site preparation without brush control, whereas on sites with brush control, diversity was higher with least intensity of site preparation. However, in the jack pine plantation, neither species diversity nor shade tolerance diversity differed with management intensification, and is attributed to the fast capture of site resources by the planted crop trees of jack pine which minimized establishment of non-crop species. Tree size diversity increased with site preparation intensity in the jack pine and black spruce plantations, while it decreased with brush control in the white pine and white spruce plantations. We concluded that (1) the effects of management intensification on diversity of northern plantations differ with growth habit of planted crop tree species and (2) species diversity and tree size diversity tend to be highest at intermediate levels of silvicultural intensification during the stand establishment phase, supporting the intermediate disturbance hypothesis.     

Diversity and genetic structure of teak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tectona grandis</Emphasis> L.f) in its natural range using DNA microsatellite markers

Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) is considered to be an extraordinarily durable building timber with a worldwide reputation. Its widespread use has entailed the over-exploitation of natural forests and a large reduction in natural diversity. Fifteen microsatellite markers were used to study the genetic variability and structure of 166 teak trees distributed over the whole natural area of teak. Analysis showed that in the teak natural area there were four main centers of genetic variability. Two clusters were in India and could be considered as main centers of genetic diversity in teak. The third cluster mainly consisting of populations in Thailand and Laos was genetically very distinct from the Indian populations but presented only half as much allelic variability. A fourth cluster from Central Laos showed even less genetic variability. The use of SSR markers for conservation of teak forest diversity is discussed.     

DNA sequence variation and development of SNP markers in beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)

European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is one of the most important deciduous tree species in Central Europe. The potential of beech to adapt to climate change, higher temperatures, and less precipitation in the summer months is still unknown. Most studies in beech used microsatellite, AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism), or isozyme markers, which have only a restricted potential to analyze adaptation. Only few studies investigated genes probably involved in the adaptation to drought stress and bud phenology in beech. In this study, SNP (single nucleotide polymorphisms) markers were developed in order to analyze adaptation and their technical advantages compared to microsatellites and AFLPs were discussed. Partial sequences of ten candidate genes probably involved in drought stress and/or bud phenology were identified at the genomic level, and SNPs and indels (insertions/deletions) in coding and non-coding regions were analyzed. Plant material was sampled along a precipitation gradient in Germany. In total, 8,145?bp were sequenced and analyzed, 4,038?bp were located in exon and 4,107?bp in intron regions. 63 SNPs and 11 indels were detected, which are differently distributed over the studied gene regions. The nucleotide diversity ranged from 0 to 6.62 (π?×?10^?3) and is comparable to other tree species, whereas the mean nucleotide diversity (2.64) for F. sylvatica is comparatively low. These results will help to investigate the genetic basis of drought stress and bud burst and to conduct association mapping in natural populations. Furthermore, the detected SNPs can also be used for population genetic studies.     

论林木引种与森林可持续经营

森林是实现环境与发展相统一的关键和纽带,在实现国家可持续发展中具有不可替代的作用。外来树种是森林遗传资源的重要组成部分,具有一些乡土树种难以替代的优势。外来树种人工林可持续经营的核心问题是树种与种源的正确选择,为此,保存和丰富必要的基因资源就显得极为重要。外来树种具有一定程度的环境风险,但并没有人们想象的那样大。对当地生物多样性的影响有利有弊,关键是如何科学运作,包括确定合适的地域范围,与乡土树种的合理空间布局,以及如何使之在当地生态系统中形成密不可分的生物链。最危险的情况出现于因检疫不严而带来的病虫危害。     

Anthropogenic alterations of genetic diversity within tree populations: Implications for forest ecosystem resilience

Healthy forests provide many of the essential ecosystem services upon which all life depends. Genetic diversity is an essential component of long-term forest health because it provides a basis for adaptation and resilience to environmental stress and change. In addition to natural processes, numerous anthropogenic factors deplete forest genetic resources. Genetic losses could be particularly consequential now because robust resilience is needed to respond to a growing number, variety, and frequency of stress exposures. Silvicultural management that selectively removes trees (and their genes) from forests may be another force reshaping forest gene pools. Although data concerning the influence of silvicultural management on genetic resources in temperate forests is somewhat mixed, through the genetic assessment of long-term silvicultural treatments within an eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) forest, and computer-based simulated harvests of a genetically mapped eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) stand, we found that the selective removal of trees can alter gene frequencies. Due to an association with phenotypic characteristics used to guide harvests, the frequencies of rare alleles appeared particularly vulnerable to manipulation. Depending on the selection criteria used, rare allele frequencies either remained steady, decreased, or increased relative to study controls. Although harvest-associated genetic losses are possible, our data suggests that management can also sustain or enhance genetic richness. Similar to studies within temperate ecosystems, recent research in tropical forests underscores the potential influence of harvesting on the genetics of tree populations. In addition to efforts to reduce controllable sources of ecosystem stress (e.g., high pollutant exposures), management options should be evaluated that may bolster forest ecosystem resilience by preserving levels of genetic diversity within forests.     

Genetic diversity in young and mature cohorts of cultivated and wild populations of Picea asperata Mast (Pinaceae), a spruce endemic in western China

Dragon spruce (Mast) is a conifer endemic to western China and a popular species for reforestation programs of this region. We used inter simple sequence repeats (ISSRs) molecular markers to conduct a population genetic study of nine geographically close stands from three types of dragon spruce forests: (1) intact, (2) plantation, and (3) natural regenerated following clearcut. Our main objective was to investigate the genetic structure of these populations and our expectation was that gene flow was an important evolutionary force among them. We were unable to sample a large number of individuals in each cohort. However, when young and mature cohorts from a particular stand were interpreted as a single unit, then sample size increased significantly. The highest levels of genetic diversity were found in mature cohorts of the intact forests, the lowest in young cohorts of these stands. Contrary to our expectations, low levels of gene flow existed between mature and young cohorts of different forest types; and most gene flow occurred between cohorts belonging to the same stand. There were major differences in the genetic structure of the three types of stands. Our results have conservation implications as the majority of wild populations of dragon spruce are small and fragmented. Low gene flow among populations will lead to high levels of genetic drift and a decline of genetic diversity within populations.     

Plant diversity patterns in different forests in Aershan, Inner Mongolia

Taking the communities of the sample sites in Aershan of Inner Mongolia as an investigation object, the indices affecting plant diversity were studied. The investigation was carried out in three different forest types (natural forests, plantations and regenerated forests after fire). Results show that 95 plant species belonging to 19 families and 50 genera were identified in total. Of these species, nine were arbors, six were shrubs and the other 80 were herbs. We found some differences in the dominant species of different layers in three forest types. Natural forests had the largest importance value for the total number of species, followed by plantations and regenerated forests after fire. Plantations and natural forests had a similar change in richness indices. The largest value of richness indices was obtained in natural forests, while the lowest value was in regenerated forests after fire. Three diversity indices (Simpson’s, Shannon-Wiener and Pielou’s indices) indicate a similar trend in all sample plots. With an increase in elevation, values of diversity indices first increased and then decreased. In different forest types, similarity between natural forests was largest, while similarity between the regenerated forests and plantations was lowest.     

Conservation value of forest plantations for bird communities in western Kenya

Tree plantations of native and exotic species are frequently used to compensate for forest loss in the tropics. However, these plantations may support lower species diversity and different communities than natural forest. We therefore investigated bird communities in stands of natural forest, different types of tree plantations and secondary forest in Kakamega Forest, western Kenya. We compared birds differing in habitat specialisation, i.e. forest specialists, generalists, and visitors. We recorded significant differences in mean species richness and number of individuals among the different forest types. Stands of natural forest and plantations of indigenous tree species comprised more species and individuals than plantations of exotic tree species and secondary forest. This was caused by a significant decline of forest specialists and generalists from natural forest and indigenous plantations to exotic plantations and secondary forest. Species composition of the bird communities did not differ between natural forest stands and plantations of a mixture of indigenous tree species, but clearly changed between natural forest and plantations of single tree species. These findings demonstrate that natural forest areas are needed for the conservation of forest bird diversity, but that plantations with a mixture of indigenous tree species can have similarly high conservation value.     

Afforestation of savannah with cocoa agroforestry systems: a small-farmer innovation in central Cameroon

Cocoa cultivation is generally considered to foster deforestation. Contrary to this view, in the forest–savannah interface area in Cameroon, farmers have planted cocoa agroforestry systems on Imperata cylindrica grasslands, a soil-climate zone generally considered unsuitable for cocoa cultivation. We undertook a survey to understand the agricultural and ecological bases of this innovation. Age, cropping history and marketable cocoa yield were assessed in a sample of 157 cocoa plantations established on grasslands and 182 cocoa plantations established in gallery forests. In a sub-sample of 47 grassland cocoa plantations, we inventoried tree species associated with cocoa trees and measured soil organic matter levels. Marketable cocoa yields were similar for the two types of cocoa plantations, regardless of their age: 321?kg?ha^?1 in cocoa plantations on grasslands and 354?kg?ha^?1 in cocoa plantations in gallery forests. Two strategies were used by farmers to eliminate I. cylindrica prior to the establishment of cocoa plantations, i.e., cropping oil palms in dense stands and planting annual crops. Farmers then planted cocoa trees and fruit tree species, while preserving specific forest trees. The fruit tree and forest tree densities respectively averaged 223 and 68 trees?ha^?1 in plantations under 10?years old, and 44 and 27 trees?ha^?1 in plantations over 40?years old, whereas the cocoa tree density remained stable at 1,315 trees?ha^?1. The Shannon–Weaver index increased from 1.97 to 2.26 over the same period although the difference was not statistically significant. The soil organic matter level was 3.13?% in old cocoa plantations, as compared to 1.7?% in grasslands. In conclusion, our results show that the occupation of grasslands by cocoa agroforestry systems is both an important example of ecological intensification and a significant farmer innovation in the history of cocoa growing.     

Response of fungal and plant communities to management-induced overstorey changes in montane forests of the Western Carpathians

The effect of forest management on biodiversity is a crucial issue for sustainable forestry and nature conservation. However, the ways in which management affects macrofungal and plant communities and diversity of mountain temperate forests still remain poorly understood. We performed a random sampling stratified by stand age and stand type on the sites of temperate montane fir–beech forests. Diversity of macrofungi and the vascular plant understorey in beech- and spruce-dominated managed stands was investigated and compared to primeval forests located in the Po?ana Biosphere Reserve, Western Carpathians. Both the vascular plant and the macrofungal communities were altered by management, and the response of the macrofungal species (especially wood-inhabiting fungi) was more pronounced in terms of species composition change. Species turnover evaluation seems to be an important tool of forest natural status assessment, because alpha diversity did not change as much as species composition. Certain species of Carpathian primeval forests were confirmed as good indicators for natural forest change; others were proposed. Species pool and mean number of species per plot were the highest in unmanaged fir–beech forests, and species diversity significantly decreased in spruce plantations. The number of species decreased significantly due to the change of canopy tree species composition only in the macrofungal communities. As an outcome for forest management, we recommend keeping mixed forests involving all natural tree species and providing at least a minimal amount of dead wood necessary for wood-inhabiting organisms and leaving some area of unmanaged natural forests within complexes of managed stands.     

Standards and guidelines for forest plantation management: A global comparative study

The increasing area covered by forest plantations creates a demand for trustworthy mechanisms to ensure they are responsibly established and managed. In the last twenty years efforts have increased to develop standards and guidelines as voluntary-based policy tools for guaranteeing sustainable forest management. However, most are focused exclusively or prevalently on natural or semi-natural forests, while only a few are specific to planted forests or plantations. Many differences can be identified among existing standards and guidelines that can be applied to planted forests and forest plantations. The paper, which main aim is to assess whether and to what extent planted forests are properly considered within the existing sets of standards/guidelines and to identify areas for improvements, is based on a series of comparative analysis. Both quantitative (number) and qualitative (quality in terms of coherency, consistency and completeness) aspects of indicators for addressing environmental, economic and social issues are considered. First, 42 standards/guidelines are classified and compared. Secondly, 3 standards for forest certification and 3 guidelines developed by international organisations are compared. Finally, a gap analysis is carried out with respect to an ad hoc “reference standard” with 386 indicators. Ball-charts, radar graphs and histograms are used to show results.