The role of very small fragments in conserving genetic diversity of a common tree in a hyper fragmented Brazilian Atlantic forest landscape

Author(s)

Martins, Karina ^[1] ; Kimura, Renato Kenji ^[1] ; Francisconi, Ana Flavia ^[1] ; Gezan, Salvador ^[2] ; Kainer, Karen ^{[2, 3]} ; Christianini, Alexander V. ^[4]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Biol, Rodovia Joao Leme dos Santos, Km 110, BR-18052780 Sorocaba, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Florida, Sch Forest Resources & Conservat, POB 110410, Gainesville, FL 32611 - USA

^[3] Univ Florida, Ctr Latin Amer Studies, Trop Conservat & Dev Program, Gainesville, FL - USA

^[4] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Ciencias Ambientais, Rodovia Joao Leme dos Santos, Km 110, BR-18052780 Sorocaba, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CONSERVATION GENETICS; v. 17, n. 3, p. 509-520, JUN 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

In hyper fragmented biomes, conservation of extant biota relies on preservation and proper management of remnants. The maintenance of genetic diversity and functional connectivity in a landscape context is probably key to long-term conservation of remnant populations. We measured the genetic diversity in seedlings and adults of tree Copaifera langsdorffii and evaluated whether edge and density-dependent effects drive natural regeneration in a set of very small and degraded Brazilian Atlantic forest fragments. We evaluated the role of small remnants in the conservation of genetic diversity in a hyper fragmented landscape and discuss the challenge of long-term population sustainability of such altered habitats. High genetic diversity in adults indicated these fragments are valuable targets for C. langsdorffii in situ conservation, but both genetic diversity and divergence among patches decreased in seedlings. In our landscape, regeneration increased as it neared edges and adults; suggesting this population is resilient to fragmentation. However, at a broader scale, current levels of gene flow have not been sufficient to prevent the loss of genetic diversity across generations. Restoration plans, even at a small scale, are necessary to promote fragment connectivity and spatially expand opportunities for the fairly restricted gene flow observed in this severely fragmented Brazilian Atlantic forest region. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/50119-4 - Ecological and genetic processes that affect Copaifera langsdorffii remnant populations in the Atlantic Forest
• Grantee: Karina Martins
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/01274-4 - Genetic conectivity of the tree Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. in small forest fragments in Sorocaba - SP, Brazil
• Grantee: Karina Martins
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/20363-8 - Recruitment and genetic diversity of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. regenerants in small forest fragments
• Grantee: Ana Flávia Francisconi
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation