title: The role of geographic analysis in locating, understanding, and using plant genetic diversity.
abstract: The genetic structure of an organism is shaped by various factors, many of which vary significantly over space. In this chapter, we provide insight on how studying geographic patterns may contribute to an improved understanding of variability in genetic structure. We first review the theoretical background on how differences in genetic structure may be generated through processes that are inherently variable over space. We then present novices with some basics on how geographic information systems (GIS) may be adopted to study this variation, including advice on software, data, and the type of research questions that might be addressed. The chapter finishes with a brief review of how spatial analysis has contributed to the conservation and use of plant genetic resources, through an understanding of spatial patterns in species distribution and genetic structure. We conclude that spatial variation is a factor often overlooked in genetic studies and one that merits greater consideration. With the advent of functional genomics and improved quantification of adaptive traits, spatial analysis may be key in understanding variation in genetic structure through careful analysis of genotype-environment interactions.
authors.affiliation: International Center for Tropical Agriculture, International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, AA6713 Cali, Colombia.
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jarvis
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yeaman
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guarino
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tohme
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D005075:Biological Evolution; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D017753:Ecosystem; D004777:Environment; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D014644:Genetic Variation; D018745:Genome, Plant; D005843:Geography / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics*; D012984:Software