ABSTRACT
Association is the basic unit of plant community classification. Exploring the distribution of plant associations can help improve our understanding of biodiversity conservation. Different associations depend on different habitats and studying the association level is important for ecological restoration, regional ecological protection, regulating the ecological balance, and maintaining biodiversity. However, previous studies have only focused on suitable distribution areas for species and not on the distribution of plant associations. Larix gmelinii is a sensitive and abundant species that occurs along the southern margin of the Eurasian boreal forests, and its distribution is closely related to permafrost. In this study, 420 original plots of L. gmelinii forests were investigated. We used a Maxent model and the ArcGIS software to project the potential geographical distribution of L. gmelinii associations in the future (by 2050 and 2070) according to the climate scenarios RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP 8.5. We used the multi-classification logistic regression analysis method to obtain the response of the suitable area change for the L. gmelinii alliance and associations to climate change under different climate scenarios. Results revealed that temperature is the most crucial factor affecting the distribution of L. gmelinii forests and most of its associations under different climate scenarios. Suitable areas for each association type are shrinking by varying degrees, especially due to habitat loss at high altitudes in special terrains. Different L. gmelinii associations should have different management measures based on the site conditions, composition structure, growth, development, and renewal succession trends. Subsequent research should consider data on biological factors to obtain more accurate prediction results.
ABSTRACT
PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Microsatellite markers were developed for the rare species Phellodendron amurense to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of this plant. ⢠METHODS AND RESULTS: In total, 27 microsatellite markers were developed for P. amurense by using an enriched genomic library and hybridization; all of these primers successfully amplified DNA fragments in P. amurense. These markers were screened in 74 individuals from four populations in China; 15 loci were found to be polymorphic, with the number of alleles per locus ranging from one to nine. ⢠CONCLUSIONS: The microsatellite markers developed here represent a useful tool for studying the population genetic structure of P. amurense and to inform toward the development of effective conservation programs for this species.
ABSTRACT
PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Fifty microsatellite loci were developed for the endangered species Juglans mandshurica to investigate its genetic diversity and population structure. ⢠METHODS AND RESULTS: In all, 50 microsatellite markers were isolated from J. mandshurica, using the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences COntaining repeats (FIASCO) protocol. Twenty of these polymorphic markers were assessed in samples collected from 98 individuals among five populations in northeastern China. Across all of the J. mandshurica samples, the number of alleles per locus ranged from one to 17. ⢠CONCLUSIONS: These new microsatellite loci will be useful for conservation genetics studies of J. mandshurica.
ABSTRACT
PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of Pinus koraiensis. ⢠METHODS AND RESULTS: Using the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences COntaining repeats (FIASCO) method with three specific PCR primers for screening the positive clones, 13 loci were found to be polymorphic in 78 individuals of P. koraiensis. Across all of the P. koraiensis samples, the number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 11. ⢠CONCLUSIONS: These polymorphic markers will be useful for conservation genetics studies of this species and to inform the development of effective P. koraiensis conservation programs.
