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Forest fragmentation and edge effects on the genetic structure of Clusia sphaerocarpa and C. lechleri (Clusiaceae) in tropical montane forests

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 June 2013

Amira Apaza Quevedo ,
Matthias Schleuning ,
Isabell Hensen ,
Fransisco Saavedra  and
Walter Durka
Amira Apaza Quevedo*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, D-06108 Halle, Germany Herbario Nacional de Bolivia, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Correo Central, Casilla 10077, La Paz, Bolivia
Matthias Schleuning
Affiliation:
Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, D-06108 Halle, Germany Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F) and Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt (Main), Germany
Isabell Hensen
Affiliation:
Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, D-06108 Halle, Germany
Fransisco Saavedra
Affiliation:
Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, D-06108 Halle, Germany Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F) and Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt (Main), Germany Herbario Nacional de Bolivia, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Correo Central, Casilla 10077, La Paz, Bolivia
Walter Durka
Affiliation:
Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Department Community Ecology (BZF), Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
*
1Corresponding author. Email: amiraelvia@yahoo.es
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Abstract:

Fragmentation of tropical forests influences abiotic and biotic processes that affect the genetic structure of plant populations. In forest fragments, edge effects, i.e. changes of abiotic and biotic factors at forest edges, may be prevalent. In two forest fragments (c. 200 ha at c. 2450 m asl) of tropical montane forest in Bolivia, sympatric populations of the dioecious tree species Clusia sphaerocarpa and C. lechleri were used as case study species to compare genetic diversity and small-scale genetic structure (SGS) between edge and interior habitats. Eight microsatellite markers were employed to genotype 343 individuals including adults, juveniles and seedlings of C. sphaerocarpa and 196 of C. lechleri. Genetic differentiation was found between habitats in both species (ΦRT = 0.071 for C. sphaerocarpa and ΦRT = 0.028 for C. lechleri) and among ages in C. sphaerocarpa (ΦRT = 0.016). Overall, SGS was weak but significant with more pronounced SGS in C. lechleri (Sp = 0.0128) than in C. sphaerocarpa (Sp = 0.0073). However, positive spatial genetic autocorrelation extended only up to 10 m. For C. sphaerocarpa, SGS was stronger in seedling and juvenile stages than in adults and in the forest interior than at forest edges. Our results show that edge effects can extend to the genetic level by breaking-up local genetic structures, probably due to increased gene flow and enhanced pollination and seed-dispersal interactions at forest edges.

Keywords

Clusiaedge effectsgenetic differentiationmontane forestSGS
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 29 , Issue 4 , July 2013 , pp. 321 - 329
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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References

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