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Oulun yliopiston väitöskirjat

POPULATION GENETICS AND POPULATION ECOLOGY IN MANAGEMENT OF ENDANGERED SPECIES, ACTA UNIVERSITATIS OULUENSIS A Scientiae Rerum Naturalium 691

ISBN-13:	978-952-62-1584-6
Kieli:	englanti
Kustantaja:	Oulun yliopisto
Oppiaine:	Luonnontiede
Painosvuosi:	2017
Sijainti:	Print Tietotalo
Sivumäärä:	134
Tekijät:	HENS HILDE

22.50 €

Knowledge of the determinants of the viability of populations is essential in order to undertake effective conservation and management of endangered species. In this study, long-term demographic data was combined with genetic data to study the viability of an endangered orchid species, Epipactis atrorubens. The genetic analyses revealed low levels of genetic variation and the presence of population genetic differentiation independent of the spatial scale. Low levels of seed-mediated gene flow, possibly linked to low seedling recruitment, is the likely cause of the low levels of gene flow. Indications of slow post-glacial colonisation rates were found, which together with the low gene flow predict a limited capacity of the species to shift its range to more suitable habitats after environmental change. Low genetic variation as a proxy for low evolutionary potential also suggests that the species has limited capacity to adapt to new environmental conditions. Furthermore, poor seedling recruitment lowers population viability in small populations, as highlighted by the low population growth rates. In addition, we found a strong effect of stochasticity that limits the viability of populations. Both the genetic and demographic analyses indicated low viability of the studied species and that seedling recruitment could be the main determinant for the viability.

Takaisin