BIODIVERSITY MONITORING OF FOREST STANDS OF DECIDUOUS SPECIES BASED ON MOLECULAR MARKING

Abstract

Introduction

Conservation and maintenance of biodiversity is promoted as an important criterion for sustainable forest management. In this regard, the improvement of methods for assessment and monitoring of biological diversity is an urgent task.

The most convenient and informative tool for assessing the genetic diversity and structure of populations of living organisms is the methods of molecular genetic analysis. The use of molecular markers based on isoenzymes and polymorphic DNA fragments allows describing and differentiating genotypes of individuals with a high degree of reliability.

The aim of the study is to assess the level of genetic variability, subdivision and differentiation of forest plantations of deciduous tree species.

Materials and Methods

The objects of the study were plantations of deciduous tree species (Populus tremula L., Betula pendula Roth., Quercus robur L.), growing on the territory of Belarus, the bordering eastern regions (Moscow and Leningrad regions of the Russian Federation), the Republic of Tatarstan.

Molecular genetic analysis was done using isoenzyme and DNA-methods. The experimental material was diploid tissues of axillary buds and leaves. Homogenization, isolation and histochemical staining of the enzymes were carried out in accordance with generally accepted procedures with some modifications.

DNA analysis was performed using RAPD and SSR markers. DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction, electrophoretic fractionation, and interpretation of data were made in accordance with generally accepted procedures.

Results and Conclusions

To assess the level of genetic variability for each of the species studied, the parameters of genetic diversity were calculated. It was shown that the analyzed tree species are characterized by wide range of indicators of genetic diversity. According to isozyme analysis at the species level, the share of polymorphic loci (P₉₉) ranges from 0.385 to 0.769, the average number of alleles (A) ranges from 1.923 to 3.231, observed heterozygosity (H_o) ranges from 0.114 to 0.227, expected heterozygosity (H_e) ranges from 0.115 to 0.237. The lowest values of P₉₉ and A are revealed in forest stands of European aspen. The lowest values of H_o and H_e are revealed for silver birch stands. English oak stands are characterized by the highest level of genetic variation on all indicators. Based on the DNA analysis the lowest values of the genetic diversity are revealed in aspen stands. Analyzed tree species are characterized by low levels of subdivision and differentiation.