368
eight populations here described and reported by Soldati et al. (2013) is protected
within the Calilegua National Park. Accordingly, INTA recently initiated activities
for the ex situ conservation of these populations, in clonal banks and clonal seed
orchards. This strategy includes populations with low genetic diversity, like
Apolinario Saravia, whose value lies in its geographical location at the extreme
southeastern range of the species.
Gene flow that likely occurred within C. balansae and C. saltensis contact zones
suggests that barriers to the gene exchange remained weak for an extended period
in the Yungas of NWA. In addition, climate changes affect the colonization and
evolutionary dynamics of the species (e.g., Aitken et al. 2008; Hoffmann and Agro
2011; Koecke et al. 2013; Köcke et al. 2015). Genetic field trials conducted in the
Yungas provided evidence of better adaptive behavior (survival and height in the
third year) in hybrids between C. balansae and C. saltensis (e.g., population of
Pintascayo) than in provenances of genetically pure populations of both species in
transition zones between them (Grignola, personal communication). This evidence
suggests that combination of introgression and selection may further contribute to
novel allelic associations enhancing adaptation of introgressed forms. Thus, habitat
forest degradation assembled with effects of climate changes may be potent evolutionary forces that contribute to structuring hybrid zones in the Yungas.
The genetic identity of Cedrela germplasm has implications for restoration planning and provides valuable baseline information for commercial forestry-related
activities; genetic improvement programs are currently under development in order
to supply the demand for high-quality genetic seed. In addition, most of the geographical area we sampled belongs to private land, where forestry productive activities should be developed according to the Law No. 26,331. The domestic market of
forest products applies differential pricing to different Cedrela wood, punishing the
round logs that do not adjust to the expected timber features. The molecular characterization of the populations can ensure the genetic provenance of the wood offered
to the forestry sector.
References
Aide TM, Grau HR (2004) Globalization, migration, and Latin American ecosystems. Science
305:1915–1916
Aitken SN, Yeaman S, Holliday JA, Wang T, Curtis-McLane S (2008) Adaptation, migration or
extirpation: climate change outcomes for tree populations. Evol Appl 1:95–111
Aizen MA, Feinsinger P (2002) Bees not to be? Responses of insect pollinator faunas and lower
pollination to habitat fragmentation. Ecol Stud 162:111–129
Allendorf FW, Leary RF, Spruell P, Wenburg JK (2001) The problems with hybrids: setting conservation guidelines. Trends Ecol Evol 16:613–622
André T, Lemes MR, Grogan J, Gribel R (2008) Postlogging loss of genetic diversity in a mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King, Meliaceae) population in Brazilian Amazonia. For Ecol
Manage 255:340–345
N. Zelener et al.
eight populations here described and reported by Soldati et al. (2013) is protected
within the Calilegua National Park. Accordingly, INTA recently initiated activities
for the ex situ conservation of these populations, in clonal banks and clonal seed
orchards. This strategy includes populations with low genetic diversity, like
Apolinario Saravia, whose value lies in its geographical location at the extreme
southeastern range of the species.
Gene flow that likely occurred within C. balansae and C. saltensis contact zones
suggests that barriers to the gene exchange remained weak for an extended period
in the Yungas of NWA. In addition, climate changes affect the colonization and
evolutionary dynamics of the species (e.g., Aitken et al. 2008; Hoffmann and Agro
2011; Koecke et al. 2013; Köcke et al. 2015). Genetic field trials conducted in the
Yungas provided evidence of better adaptive behavior (survival and height in the
third year) in hybrids between C. balansae and C. saltensis (e.g., population of
Pintascayo) than in provenances of genetically pure populations of both species in
transition zones between them (Grignola, personal communication). This evidence
suggests that combination of introgression and selection may further contribute to
novel allelic associations enhancing adaptation of introgressed forms. Thus, habitat
forest degradation assembled with effects of climate changes may be potent evolutionary forces that contribute to structuring hybrid zones in the Yungas.
The genetic identity of Cedrela germplasm has implications for restoration planning and provides valuable baseline information for commercial forestry-related
activities; genetic improvement programs are currently under development in order
to supply the demand for high-quality genetic seed. In addition, most of the geographical area we sampled belongs to private land, where forestry productive activities should be developed according to the Law No. 26,331. The domestic market of
forest products applies differential pricing to different Cedrela wood, punishing the
round logs that do not adjust to the expected timber features. The molecular characterization of the populations can ensure the genetic provenance of the wood offered
to the forestry sector.
References
Aide TM, Grau HR (2004) Globalization, migration, and Latin American ecosystems. Science
305:1915–1916
Aitken SN, Yeaman S, Holliday JA, Wang T, Curtis-McLane S (2008) Adaptation, migration or
extirpation: climate change outcomes for tree populations. Evol Appl 1:95–111
Aizen MA, Feinsinger P (2002) Bees not to be? Responses of insect pollinator faunas and lower
pollination to habitat fragmentation. Ecol Stud 162:111–129
Allendorf FW, Leary RF, Spruell P, Wenburg JK (2001) The problems with hybrids: setting conservation guidelines. Trends Ecol Evol 16:613–622
André T, Lemes MR, Grogan J, Gribel R (2008) Postlogging loss of genetic diversity in a mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King, Meliaceae) population in Brazilian Amazonia. For Ecol
Manage 255:340–345
N. Zelener et al.