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Forest Research home > Research themes > Woodland biodiversity > Genetic conservation
Research approach to genetic conservation
Genetic variation within plant species is of two principal kinds: - Neutral variation, caused by variation in those parts of genomes which do not code for traits of adaptive significance.
- Adaptive variation, caused by mutations in the genes controlling traits which influence survival or competitive fitness, and which therefore can be detected in the phenotype; examples are growth rate, timing of leaf-flushing, and pest and disease resistance.
Molecular markersThese have a highly significant contribution to make in elucidating patterns of genetic variation upon which conservation strategies can be based. Neutral markers in those parts of the genome which evolve at a relatively slow rate comprise valuable records of population history and movement. Hypervariable codominant markers such as Simple-Sequence Repeats (SSRs, or "microsatellites") are invaluable in maternity and paternity analysis for the elucidation of population structure and gene-flow in native populations. Provenance trials These should indicate the existence of any local adaptation and also the range of planting sites over which a given provenance may be expected to perform acceptably. In addition they will highlight the genetic distinctiveness of each population. A prerequisite for the establishment of such provenance trials is detailed information on the natural distribution of the species within the UK, and on the location of authentically autochthonous populations from which material may be sampled. With this objective in mind, an inventory of representative populations of the important native species has been produced.
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