Genetic consequences of tropical second-growth forest regeneration.
Secondary forests are more extensive than old-growth forests in many tropical regions, yet the genetic composition of colonizing populations is poorly understood. We analyzed the parentage of a founder population of 130 individuals of the canopy palm Iriartea deltoidea in a 24-year-old second-growth forest in lowland Costa Rica. Among 66 trees in adjacent old-growth forest, only two individuals contributed 56% of the genes in founders. Second-growth trees had lower genetic diversity and larger patches of similar genotypes than old-growth trees. Recovery of genetic diversity of populations in tropical second-growth forests may take many generations and will require continued dispersal from genetically diverse source populations.
Sezen
Uzay U
UU
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3043, USA. uzay.sezen@huskymail.uconn.edu
Chazdon
Robin L
RL
Holsinger
Kent E
KE
D028023:Arecaceae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development*; D003364:Costa Rica; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005828:Genetics, Population; D005838:Genotype; D011058:Pollen; D012639:Seeds; D014197:Trees / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development*