<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> Remnant riparian woodlands have an important landscape function, due to their ability to act as ecological corridors. In this study we used molecular markers to assess the genetic variation occurring within and between spontaneous white willow (Salix alba L.) riparian woodlands. Our main goal was to evaluate the extent to which the fragmentation of a woodland corridor along a heavily impacted river in northeastern Italy and stand structural conditions may have affected the population genetics. Although having different structures, the three examined white willow stands showed high estimates of genetic similarity, as well as low genetic differentiation between them, indicating that they shared a similar gene pool and that the stands could result from a common set of individual genotypes, and should be regarded as metapopulations. The magnitude of genetic diversity within each of the stands and genetic differentiation between them, despite their high sexual reproductive capacity associated with a highly marked gene flow, suggest that these stands are dynamic and capable of adaptive responses to possible changes in their fluvial environment. However, the factors influencing genetic diversity should be interpreted from a long-term perspective. Fluvial geomorphic patterns in regulated rivers may be modified to a degree that could lead to changes in dispersal processes, sexu­al reproduction vs. asexual propagation, and hence genetic diversity.</p></abstract>

Remnant riparian woodlands have an important landscape function, due to their ability to act as ecological corridors. In this study we used molecular markers to assess the genetic variation occurring within and between spontaneous white willow (Salix alba L.) riparian woodlands. Our main goal was to evaluate the extent to which the fragmentation of a woodland corridor along a heavily impacted river in northeastern Italy and stand structural conditions may have affected the population genetics. Although having different structures, the three examined white willow stands showed high estimates of genetic similarity, as well as low genetic differentiation between them, indicating that they shared a similar gene pool and that the stands could result from a common set of individual genotypes, and should be regarded as metapopulations. The magnitude of genetic diversity within each of the stands and genetic differentiation between them, despite their high sexual reproductive capacity associated with a highly marked gene flow, suggest that these stands are dynamic and capable of adaptive responses to possible changes in their fluvial environment. However, the factors influencing genetic diversity should be interpreted from a long-term perspective. Fluvial geomorphic patterns in regulated rivers may be modified to a degree that could lead to changes in dispersal processes, sexu­al reproduction vs. asexual propagation, and hence genetic diversity.

Genetic diversity and stand structure of neighboring white willow (Salix alba L.) populations along fragmented riparian corridors: a case study

Silvae Genetica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Remnant riparian woodlands have an important landscape function, due to their ability to act as ecological corridors. In this study we used molecular markers...

Genetic diversity and stand structure of neighboring white willow (Salix alba L.) populations along fragmented riparian corridors: a case study

Published Online: Aug 25, 2018

Page range: 79 - 88

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sg-2018-0011

Keywords
ecological corridor, biodiversity conservation, fluvial ecosystem, genetic resources, metapopulation, amplified fragment length polymorphisms, Natura 2000

© 2018 T. Sitzia et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Genetic diversity and stand structure of neighboring white willow (Salix alba L.) populations along fragmented riparian corridors: a case study

Published Online: Aug 25, 2018

Page range: 79 - 88

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sg-2018-0011

Keywordsecological corridor, biodiversity conservation, fluvial ecosystem, genetic resources, metapopulation, amplified frag­ment length polymorphisms, Natura 2000

© 2018 T. Sitzia et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
ecological corridor, biodiversity conservation, fluvial ecosystem, genetic resources, metapopulation, amplified fragment length polymorphisms, Natura 2000