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Impact of Latitudinal Gradient,Fire,and Succession on Genetic Diversity of Eastern White

Cedar(Thuja
Author :XuHuaiTong
Tutor:ChenCunGen
School :Northwest University of Science and Technology
CLC :S793.9
TYPE :PhD thesis
Download the PDF Full Text:http://www.topresearch.org/showinfo-187-678654-0.html
Year:2013
Abstract:
Eastern white cedar EWC; Thuja occidentalis L. is an important late-successional treespecies in
the Boreal forest. It is listed as an endangered species by many states/provinces inNorth America.
Conducting in-depth research on its population dynamics, genetic structureand diversity, is essential
for the maintenance of ecosystem stability, the conservation of itsgermplasm and genetic resources,
and the sustainable forest management. The long-termobjective of this study was to understanding the
relative influence of climate, naturaldisturbances, forest succession and fragmentation upon the
dynamics and genetic structure ofEWC populations in the boreal forest. Specifically, we used
molecular markers to:1) examinethe impact of latitudinal gradient and fragmentation on its population
genetic diversity;2)investigate the relative importance of the mode of regeneration along a post-fire
succession aswell as the effect of disturbance history on its genetic structure;3) estimate the effects
oflandscape features on its genetic diversity, and the conservation value of fire residuals.
Weintroduced a spatial-temporal approach, as well as integrating climate factors, stand
history,disturbance factors, and genetic data. The main conclusions are as follows:1) There were no
significant latitudinal effects on population genetic diversity (Genediversity, Hs; Allelic richness, AR;
Population differentiation, Fst) along the latitudinalgradient from the boreal mixed-wood to northern
coniferous forest. Increased populationisolation and fragmentation was not correlated with a
significant decrease in geneticdiversity.Positive Fisvalues and heterozygote deficiency were observed
in populations fromthe marginal (Fis=0.244; PHW=0.0042) and discontinuous zones (Fis=0.166;
PHW=0.0042)indicating inbreeding. However, populations from the continuous zone were in
HWequilibrium (Fis=-0.007; PHW=0.3625). Bayesian and NJT neighbour-joining tree
analysesdemonstrated the presence of a population structure that was partly consistent with
thegeographic origins of the populations. In general, there was substantial genetic
differentiationamong EWC populations (Fst=0.077). Several marginal populations experienced
recentpopulation decline, the remaining populations showed a signal of recent expansion. Overall,the
impact of population fragmentation on the genetic structure of EWC is the presence of a positive
inbreeding coefficient along the latitudinal gradient. The fragmented populations ofEWC appear wellbuffered against effects of inbreeding on genetic erosion.2) The percentage of asexual regeneration
slightly increased with stand development1916,22.8%;1823,27.0%;1760,30.9% along a250-yearlong post-fire successionalgradient, while genotypic diversity decreased. Most gene dispersal was
realised within site pollen,88.5%; seed,79.4% . The youngest site 1916 received a great
portion 75.8% ofgenes mediated by pollen and seed dispersal from older sites 1823,1760.
Mean seeddispersal distance was estimated to be1079.4m, with a maximum distance of7.2km,
whilethe pollination between mates occurred over a mean distance of536.6m maximum=4.4km.
Fine-scale spatial genetic structure SGS analysis showed contrasting patterns of SGSbetween
saplings and adult trees. SGS was high and significant in saplings, and weaker inadult trees. Clonal
growth increased SGS in saplings over short distances, together with SGSintensity Sp. Fine-scale
SGS among saplings excluding clonal individuals in the firstdistance interval gradually
weakened along the post-fire successional gradient. The distancefrom seed sources and the time
needed for post-fire regeneration to produce seed-bearing treesare among the factors that controlled
EWC abundance along the post-fire succession, togetherwith the abundance of suitable microsites.3)
There were high levels of gene flow among small EWC fire residuals from thefragmented terrestrial
landscape, naturally fragmented EWC islands from the lacustrinelandscape, and mainland EWC old

forests from the non-fragmented terrestrial landscape. Ourresults revealed that a source-sink dynamic
pattern of gene flow. Small EWC fire residualsmaintained high genetic diversity by receiving
replenishment from mainland populations.There were significant differences in several genetic
estimates among the three landscapetypes with small EWC fire residuals having the lowest allelic
richness AR=5.06, highestpopulation differentiation (Fst=0.052), and lowest number of private
alleles PA=5. Bothclimate wind and landscape features shaped the genetic structure of EWC
in the landscape.Our study provides empirical evidences on the top conservation value of mainland
EWCold-growth forest or its large patches. Therefore, appropriate protection measures should betaken
before they turn to small patches that characterised with reduced genetic variation, asthey can continue
to provide crucial habitat reserves for fire sensitive species.

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