Habitat fragmentation influences genetic diversity and differentiation: Fine‐scale population structure ofCercis canadensis(eastern redbud)

Abstract

Forest fragmentation may negatively affect plants through reduced genetic diversity and increased population structure due to habitat isolation, decreased population size, and disturbance of pollen-seed dispersal mechanisms. However, in the case of tree species, effective pollen-seed dispersal, mating system, and ecological dynamics may help the species overcome the negative effect of forest fragmentation. A fine-scale population genetics study can shed light on the postfragmentation genetic diversity and structure of a species. Here, we present the genetic diversity and population structure of Cercis canadensis L. (eastern redbud) wild populations on a fine scale within fragmented areas centered around the borders of Georgia-Tennessee, USA. We hypothesized high genetic diversity among the collections of C. canadensis distributed across smaller geographical ranges. Fifteen microsatellite loci were used to genotype 172 individuals from 18 unmanaged and naturally occurring collection sites. Our results indicated presence of population structure, overall high genetic diversity (H E = 0.63, H O = 0.34), and moderate genetic differentiation (F ST = 0.14)among the collection sites. Two major genetic clusters within the smaller geographical distribution were revealed by STRUCTURE. Our data suggest that native C. canadensis populations in the fragmented area around the Georgia-Tennessee border were able to maintain high levels of genetic diversity, despite the presence of considerable spatial genetic structure. As habitat isolation may negatively affect gene flow of outcrossing species across time, consequences of habitat fragmentation should be regularly monitored for this and other forest species. This study also has important implications for habitat management efforts and future breeding programs. K E Y W O R D S Cercis canadensis, fine-scale population structure, genetic diversity, habitat fragmentation, redbud S U PP O RTI N G I N FO R M ATI O N Additional supporting information may be found online in the Supporting Information section. How to cite this article: Ony MA, Nowicki M, Boggess SL, et al. Habitat fragmentation influences genetic diversity and differentiation: Fine-scale population structure of Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud).

Development and Characterization of 15 Novel Genomic SSRs for Viburnum farreri

“…The resulting polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products can then be sized to determine the polymorphisms and therefore, alleles of specific loci. As a result of these properties, SSRs are frequently used to investigate genetic diversity [ 28 , 29 ] and delimit species and subspecies [ 30 , 31 ].…”

Genetic Diversity of Phyllanthus emblica From Two Different Climate Type Areas

“…Rational utilization and protection of a species depends on understanding its distribution, differentiation, and factors influencing its genetic diversity, which is the basis of species' adaptation to changing environment (Solbrig, 1991). Particularly, for long-lived woody species, genetic diversity not only determines their ability to adapt to the environment but also forms the basis for maintaining long-term stability of forest ecosystems (Hamrick et al, 1992;Ony et al, 2020;Wells et al, 2020). With the increase in genetic diversity within species, their ability to adapt to environmental changes increases, whereas the decrease or disappearance of genetic diversity often results in low adaptability, reproduction, and disease resistance (Hamrick et al, 1992).…”

Effect of habitat fragmentation on genetic structure of terrestrial orchid Cymbidium faberi in the Qinling Mountains

“…In fragmented habitats, the roads, villages and farmland surrounding the populations are generally considered to be barriers to gene flow, which often result in reduced genetic diversity, enhanced inbreeding within populations and genetic structure (Templeton, Robertson, Brisson, & Strasburg, 2001;Byrne, Elliott, Yates, & Coates, 2008;Vranckx, Jacquemyn, Muys, & Honnay, 2012;Betancourth-Cundar, Palacios-Rodríguez, Mejía-Vargas, Paz, & Amézquita, 2020). For most plants, habitat fragmentation often reduces gene flow and genetic diversity by disrupting the movement of seed (Sebbenn et al, 2011;Browne & Karubian, 2018;Ony et al, 2020).…”

“…The habitat fragmentation has resulted in low genetic diversity and population structure not only for plants but also for other species, including golden snub-nosed monkey and giant panda (Huang et al, 2016;Ma et al, 2018). For most plants, habitat fragmentation often reduces gene flow and genetic diversity by disrupting the movement of seed (Sebbenn et al, 2011;Lander, Harris, Cremona, & Boshier, 2019;Ony et al, 2020). It was reported that seed dispersal play important roles in determining genetic variation patterns in fragmented landscapes (Browne & Karubian, 2018).…”