Genetic and evolutionary effects of anthropogenic and natural disturbances, and minimum viable population size in forest trees

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Genetic diversity is widely recognized as the foundation of sustainability of species and populations. It provides the raw material for adaptation, evolution and survival of species and individuals, especially under changed environment and disease conditions. Since trees are normally the keystone species of the forest ecosystems, their genetic diversity has a special significance. Anthropogenic activities (such as forest harvesting, agriculture, urbanization) and natural disturbance (such as forest fires) can affect genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics of forest tree populations. Knowledge of genetic diversity, mating system, reproductive fitness and gene dispersal inherent in natural populations, impacts of forest management practices, fragmentation and forest fires on these parameters, and minimum viable population size (MVP) is essential to understand the mechanisms that shape genetic diversity, and to devise effective strategies for conservation and sustainable management of forest genetic resources. My research goal is to gain deeper understanding of the genetic and evolutionary impacts of human activities and natural disturbance and the mechanisms that maintain genetic diversity, evolutionary dynamics and sustainability of populations at the stand and landscape levels, and MVP in forest trees. The proposed research will build upon my continuing studies in this area on several spruce and pine species. Genetic impacts of forest fragmentation, operational and experimental forest harvesting systems, as well as natural and experimental forest fires will be determined. DNA markers, candidate genes and/or allozymes will be used to determine genetic diversity, mating patterns and gene dispersal parameters, and MVP. Relationships of these parameters with the degree of forest fragmentation, harvesting and fire intensities, population size and density, and fitness traits will be determined. The proposed research has fundamental population genetic and evolutionary significance for understanding processes that maintain or affect genetic diversity, viability and fitness, as well as microevolutionary and metapopulation evolutionary dynamics. It has applied significance for conservation, management and restoration of forest genetic resources.