Genetic diversity in oak populations under intensive management for fuelwood in the Sierra de Zongolica, Mexico

Abstract

Firewood and charcoal are used on a daily basis both in rural areas and in cities. This type of energy is produced by one of the most ancient traditional methods, known as coppice, which harvest tree sprouts. There is controversy about its effects on forests: it preserves populations and tree cover of species used, but reduces density, inhibits sexual reproduction and generates genetic erosion. We inquired if it was possible to identify a loss of genetic diversity in oak populations traditionally used for charcoal by the Zongolica Nahuas in Veracruz state, Mexico. We studied populations of Quercus laurina, Quercus calophylla and Quercus rugosa in three different altitudes. Molecular analysis with eight nuclear codominant microsatellites was performed to determine the diversity, structure and gene flow of these species. Results for Q.

Overcoming Key Barriers for Secondary Cloud Forest Management in Mexico

“…Selective logging could be possible with careful extraction techniques even in steep areas with high susceptibility to erosion and biodiversity degradation. Coppice harvesting of some oak species is also a common practice for the production of firewood and charcoal [95].…”