Impact of silvicultural practices on the genetic variations between sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) stands in the Northern Forest, U.S.A

IF 3.7 2区农林科学 Q1 FORESTRY

Forest Ecology and Management Pub Date : 2024-09-19 DOI:10.1016/j.foreco.2024.122302

Danilo D. Fernando , Seona Yun , Namjoo Heo , Diane H. Kiernan

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Tree harvesting practices that enhance genetic diversity are essential for the long-term sustainability of our forests. Using eSSRs, which are markers within expressed genes and thus, potentially subjected to natural selection and reveal adaptive potential, this study examines the effects of selection (SE) and shelterwood (SW) management systems using unmanaged (UM) stands as reference on the genetic diversity of sugar maples in the Northern Forest, USA. Comparison between management types shows no difference between SE and SW, but compared to UM, both have lower allelic richness (A_R) while only SE has lower expected heterozygosity (H_E). Size class comparison shows that seedlings have higher A_R and H_E than poles and mature trees. Two-way interactions between management types, size classes, and study stands from each of the four states that comprise the Northern Forest region (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York) were also examined. Results show that seedlings in UM and SW have higher A_R compared to all size classes in SE and poles and mature trees in SW, while only seedlings from SW have higher H_E compared to poles and mature trees in SE and SW. Only in Maine was there a difference in A_R between SW and SE stands per state. Seedlings in New Hampshire and Maine have higher H_E, as well as seedlings and mature trees in New York compared to the poles in New Hampshire and mature trees in Maine. Overall, the results indicate genetic erosion in sugar maple stands in the Northern Forest region. This genetic impact may be due to several factors including the intensity of cutting associated with SE and SW systems and size of the canopy gaps created. Higher seedling genetic diversity in SW compared to SE may be due to their more open stand structure that facilitates gene flow and seedling recruitment. When using SE, longer cutting cycle paired with lower level of residual basal area is recommended. This approach allows for a more open stand structure that could facilitate pollen and seed exchanges from the stands, improving their genetic diversity. In both SE and SW systems, leaving high-quality growing stocks will enhance their genetic diversity and ensure their sustainability. This study increases our awareness of the potential genetic impacts of forest harvesting practices and guides the development of recommendations to alleviate genetic erosion in sugar maple stands.

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造林措施对美国北部森林糖枫（Acer saccharum Marsh.）

提高遗传多样性的树木采伐方法对森林的长期可持续性至关重要。eSSR 是表达基因中的标记，因此可能会受到自然选择的影响，并揭示适应潜力。本研究利用 eSSR，以无人管理林分（UM）为参照，研究了选择（SE）和防护林（SW）管理系统对美国北部森林糖槭遗传多样性的影响。管理类型之间的比较表明，SE 和 SW 之间没有差异，但与 UM 相比，两者的等位基因丰富度（AR）都较低，而只有 SE 的预期杂合度（HE）较低。大小等级比较显示，幼苗的等位基因丰富度（AR）和等位基因杂合度（HE）高于树杆和成龄树。研究还考察了北部森林地区四个州（缅因州、新罕布什尔州、佛蒙特州和纽约州）的管理类型、大小等级和研究林分之间的双向交互作用。结果表明，与东南部的所有大小等级以及西南部的树杆和成龄树相比，缅因州和西南部的幼苗具有更高的AR，而与东南部和西南部的树杆和成龄树相比，只有西南部的幼苗具有更高的HE。只有缅因州的西南部和东南部林分的 AR 值存在差异。与新罕布什尔州的树杆和缅因州的成龄树相比，新罕布什尔州和缅因州的幼苗以及纽约州的幼苗和成龄树的 HE 值更高。总体而言，研究结果表明，北部森林地区的糖槭树种受到了遗传侵蚀。造成这种遗传影响的因素有很多，包括东南部和西南部系统的砍伐强度以及树冠间隙的大小。与 SE 系统相比，SW 系统的幼苗遗传多样性更高，这可能是由于它们的林分结构更开阔，有利于基因流动和幼苗招募。在使用 SE 系统时，建议采用较长的砍伐周期和较低的剩余基部面积。这种方法可使林分结构更加开阔，从而促进林分中花粉和种子的交换，提高遗传多样性。在东南部和西南部系统中，留下高质量的生长种群将提高其遗传多样性，确保其可持续性。这项研究提高了我们对森林采伐方法可能造成的遗传影响的认识，并为制定减轻糖槭林遗传侵蚀的建议提供了指导。

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来源期刊

Forest Ecology and Management 农林科学-林学

CiteScore

7.50

自引率

10.80%

发文量

665

审稿时长

39 days

期刊介绍： Forest Ecology and Management publishes scientific articles linking forest ecology with forest management, focusing on the application of biological, ecological and social knowledge to the management and conservation of plantations and natural forests. The scope of the journal includes all forest ecosystems of the world. A peer-review process ensures the quality and international interest of the manuscripts accepted for publication. The journal encourages communication between scientists in disparate fields who share a common interest in ecology and forest management, bridging the gap between research workers and forest managers. We encourage submission of papers that will have the strongest interest and value to the Journal''s international readership. Some key features of papers with strong interest include: 1. Clear connections between the ecology and management of forests; 2. Novel ideas or approaches to important challenges in forest ecology and management; 3. Studies that address a population of interest beyond the scale of single research sites, Three key points in the design of forest experiments, Forest Ecology and Management 255 (2008) 2022-2023); 4. Review Articles on timely, important topics. Authors are welcome to contact one of the editors to discuss the suitability of a potential review manuscript. The Journal encourages proposals for special issues examining important areas of forest ecology and management. Potential guest editors should contact any of the Editors to begin discussions about topics, potential papers, and other details.