How widespread are recruitment bottlenecks in fragmented populations of the savanna tree Banksia marginata (Proteaceae)?

Heyes, Simon; Sinclair, Steve; Hoebee, Susan E.; Morgan, John

doi:10.1007/s11258-020-01033-0

Cited by 8 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 95 publications

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“…It is uncertain whether local populations are already suffering from inbreeding effects or whether the species can tolerate some level of inbreeding, as this was not explicitly assessed in this study. However, evidence for recruitment bottlenecks in small remnant populations, with some populations failing to set seed (Heyes et al, 2019), suggests possible fitness reductions across at least part of the species distribution.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Genetic data and climate niche suitability models highlight the vulnerability of a functionally important plant species from south‐eastern Australia

Miller

Nitschke

Weeks

et al. 2020

Evolutionary Applications

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Habitat fragmentation imperils the persistence of many functionally important species, with climate change a new threat to local persistence due to climate niche mismatching. Predicting the evolutionary trajectory of species essential to ecosystem function under future climates is challenging but necessary for prioritizing conservation investments. We use a combination of population genetics and niche suitability models to assess the trajectory of a functionally important, but highly fragmented, plant species from south‐eastern Australia (Banksia marginata, Proteaceae). We demonstrate significant genetic structuring among, and high level of relatedness within, fragmented remnant populations, highlighting imminent risks of inbreeding. Population simulations, controlling for effective population size (Ne), suggest that many remnant populations will suffer rapid declines in genetic diversity due to drift in the absence of intervention. Simulations were used to demonstrate how inbreeding and drift processes might be suppressed by assisted migration and population mixing approaches that enhance the size and connectivity of remnant populations. These analyses were complemented by niche suitability models that predicted substantial reductions of suitable habitat by 2080; ~30% of the current distribution of the species climate niche overlaps with the projected distribution of the species climate niche in the geographic region by the 2080s. Our study highlights the importance of conserving remnant populations and establishing new populations in areas likely to support B. marginata in the future, and adopting seed sourcing strategies that can help populations overcome the risks of inbreeding and maladaptation. We also argue that ecological replacement of B. marginata using climatically suited plant species might be needed in the future to maintain ecosystem processes where B. marginata cannot persist. We recommend the need for progressive revegetation policies and practices to prevent further deterioration of species such as B. marginata and the ecosystems they support.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Remnant populations are typically small (1 to ~800 individuals) and isolated. There is evidence for recruitment bottlenecks in small remnant populations, with some populations failing to set seed (Heyes, Sinclair, Hoebee, & Morgan, 2019…”

Section: Study Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic data and climate niche suitability models highlight the vulnerability of a functionally important plant species from south‐eastern Australia

Miller

Nitschke

Weeks

et al. 2020

Evolutionary Applications

Self Cite

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“…Low seed set has been recorded in some populations, which may be due to changes in pollination guilds, inbreeding (Miller et al 2020) or granivory by cockatoos. While a relationship between low seedling recruitment and small population size was observed in fragmented populations suggesting evidence of an Allee effect in this species (Heyes et al 2020), introduced grass competition, herbivory or dry soil conditions may also contribute.…”

Section: Current Condition Of Victorian Banksiasmentioning

confidence: 78%

Conservation challenges for Victorian Banksias: Workshop May 2020

Muir¹,

Heyes²,

Morgan³

et al. 2021

Eco Management Restoration

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“…As B. marginata was once a widely distributed, but likely scattered, species in savannah-like ecosystems [32,73], it is unclear whether the genetic diversity patterns presented here are indicative of the species' history, of recent fragmentation, or both. However, the SSR indices reported here are comparable with rare species such as B. mimica, B. vestita and B. arborea [74,75] as well as the widespread but fragmented B. menziesii [76], suggesting that recent fragmentation is likely the driver of low diversity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Banksia marginata is a major nectar source for honeyeaters, possums and insects [33] which presumably helps to maintain gene dispersal and preferential outcrossing and limiting the production of small inbred seed that are less likely to survive [35]. As B. marginata populations do not appear to be experiencing recruitment bottlenecks [73], it is possible that sufficient outcrossed progeny are still being produced to maintain demographic processes. The very real challenge for these and other small remnants may be to continue to attract pollinators to maintain gene flow in the face of ongoing vegetation loss and associated decline of woodland birds [84,85].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Managing Genetic Diversity and Representation in Banksia marginata (Proteaceae) Seed Production Areas Used for Conservation and Restoration

2021

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Landscape degradation is a major threat to global biodiversity that is being further exacerbated by climate change. Halting or reversing biodiversity decline using seed-based restoration requires tons of seed, most of which is sourced from wild populations. However, in regions where restoration is most urgent, wild seed sources are often fragmented, declining and producing seed with low genetic diversity. Seed production areas (SPAs) can help to reduce the burden of collecting native seed from remnant vegetation, improve genetic diversity in managed seed crops and contribute to species conservation. Banksia marginata (Proteaceae) is a key restoration species in south-eastern Australia but is highly fragmented and declining across much of its range. We evaluated genetic diversity, population genetic structure and relatedness in two B. marginata SPAs and the wild populations from which the SPA germplasm was sourced. We found high levels of relatedness within most remnants and that the population genetic structure was best described by three groups of trees. We suggest that SPAs are likely to be important to meet future native seed demand but that best practice protocols are required to assist land managers design and manage these resources including genetic analyses to guide the selection of germplasm.

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How widespread are recruitment bottlenecks in fragmented populations of the savanna tree Banksia marginata (Proteaceae)?

Cited by 8 publications

References 95 publications

Genetic data and climate niche suitability models highlight the vulnerability of a functionally important plant species from south‐eastern Australia

Genetic data and climate niche suitability models highlight the vulnerability of a functionally important plant species from south‐eastern Australia

Conservation challenges for Victorian Banksias: Workshop May 2020

Managing Genetic Diversity and Representation in Banksia marginata (Proteaceae) Seed Production Areas Used for Conservation and Restoration

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