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GenMon-Implementation of a Genetic Monitoring System in European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway Spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) Populations in Germany
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Tröber, Ute Wolf, Heino Fussi, Barbara Kunz, Marco |
| Copyright Year | 2019 |
| Abstract | The reduction of the loss of genetic diversity and the protection of the sustainability of forest ecosystems and all their habitats and services are objectives of high priority for forest management. Furthermore, long-term adaptability of forest stands to a changing environment must be ensured through adapted forest management. A population’s adaptability is determined by genetic variation. However, established environmental monitoring systems consider biodiversity only on the species level to evaluate state and development of a forest stand. Aspects regarding the genetic system on a fundamental level have not been integrated so far, although the genetic system creates the basis of reactivity and adaptability of forest tree populations to cope with changing environmental influences. In Germany, a concept for a genetic monitoring scheme in forest tree species was elaborated, which aspires to delineate the genetic system in its entirety on the groundwork of criteria, indicators and verifiers. The implementation of the concept to the structures of German state forest institutions is the main objective of the ongoing project GenMon, which establishes a net of monitoring plots for European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) to survey the intactness of the genetic system in observed populations. Introduction It is a task of today’s and future generations to reduce the ongoing loss of biodiversity at global, national and local levels (GRAUDAL et al. 2014, MONASTERSKY 2014). Furthermore, the adaptability of forest ecosystems to changing environment must be ensured. The adaptability of trees to environmental factors such as climate change or outbreaks of pests and diseases depends fundamentally on their genetic variation. Therefore, the conservation and monitoring of biodiversity on all levels (species, population and genetic, CBD 1992) is essentially (GREGORIUS and DEGEN 2007). In order to allow a proper prediction of the adaptability of trees and to stop the erosion of genetic diversity, the existing monitoring has to be supplemented with a monitoring system on population level (KONNERT et al. 2011, TRÖBER et al. 2011, FUSSI et al. 2016). Genetic variation with its inherent amplitude of allelic and genotypic structures determines adaptability and capability of forest ecosystems. It forms the fundamental basis for a sustainable development of forests and its biological diversity (GREGORIUS and DEGEN 2007). Currently, the increasing temperatures resulting from climate change may cause a directional selection within populations and result in altering genotype frequencies as evolutionary reaction (JUMP et al. 2006). It implicates a movement of efforts on national and international levels to conserve genetic diversity in situ and ex situ. In this context numerous efforts, organizations and collaborating activities like IUFRO, EUFORGEN and the CBD-process should be mentioned. 78 SCHMIEDEL et al.: GenMon Via various pilot studies there are certain attempts in Germany. The “Concept for Conservation of Forest Genetic Resources” was published 1987 and altered in 2000 and 2010. The current version of PAUL et al. (2010) describes the necessity of an implementation of genetic monitoring in forest ecosystems. As mentioned before, genetic aspects are still lacking in environmental monitoring programs that have been established in the last 20 years. With well-considered criteria and indicators, information from genetic monitoring can serve as an early warning and controlling system, because changes in the stand structures, vitality and natural regeneration can be observed earlier than in the natural stand (KONNERT and HOSIUS 2010). From this point of view the implementation of a genetic monitoring system is overdue. The genetic system of populations comprises all mechanisms and processes resulting in the generation, modification and maintenance of genetic variation as well as in its transfer to the following generations. The German “Concept for Genetic Monitoring in Forests” as published by the BLAG-GROUP OF EXPERTS "GENETISCHES MONITORING" (2004) is based on indicators proposed by (NAMKOONG et al. 1996) for population genetic processes concerning the following points: Ø level of genetic variation, Ø directional change in gene or genotypic frequencies, Ø changes in mating system processes and Ø gene migration between populations. Gene frequencies and different genetic parameters based on gene frequencies, like genetic diversity, number of polymorphic loci, mean number of alleles per locus can be applied efficiently as measures for assessing the level of genetic variation. The outcrossing rate, the number of effective pollen donors, but also the quality of seed reflected by the proportion of empty seed or by germination capacity supply valuable information about the mating system. Gene migration is verified by pollen and seed dispersal distance as well as by presence or absence of family structures within a tree population. The determination of indicators by repeated research at different times can reveal the dynamics and conditions of the processes of the genetic system (GREGORIUS and DEGEN 2007). To evaluate different methodical aspects, pilot studies have been performed for two tree species with a different mating behavior – wild cherry (Prunus avium L., DEGEN et al. 2008) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L., MAURER et al. 2008) – resulting in a precise conception for the implementation of a genetic monitoring for forest tree species (BLAG-GROUP OF EXPERTS "GENETISCHES MONITORING" 2008). Implementation of a genetic monitoring system Participating institutions and choice of trees Within the framework of the project GENMON, there are several institutions cooperating (Table 1). Presently, a net of monitoring plots for Fagus sylvatica L. and Picea abies (L.) Karst. has been established throughout Germany to evaluate the intactness of the genetic system. Both species represent about 40 % of the forest-covered area in Germany (European beech: 15.4 %, Norway spruce: 25.4 %; THÜNEN-INSTITUT 2012). They are very important tree species from the ecological and economical point of view respectively. Facing climate change, Norway spruce is considered to be potentially endangered in some regions. This expectation is caused by the fact that only a small proportion of the current distribution is formed by autochthonous, naturally regenerated populations. Spruce proveniences have been translocated over long distances and planted within and beyond the native distribution area very often on non-suitable sites, resulting in disturbed adaptation patterns. On the other hand, European beech is native all over Germany and promises to be a stable part of forest ecosystems during climate change. Both species serve as models for the implementation of a genetic monitoring in forest tree populations in Germany and presumably form a template for the introduction of suitable programmes for other forest tree species. First results will be available in summer 2019. SCHMIEDEL et al.: GenMon 79 Table 1: Collaborating Institutions and their tasks (S: Sampling procedure, G: Genetic analyses, Q: Testing Germination Capacity of seeds, A: Analysis and evaluation of collected data) |
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| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
