The use of genetic structure as a guide for seed gathering for forest restoration

Abstract

Forest fragmentation provokes reduction of germoplasm sources for restoration. Seedling production depends on samples of isolated fragments and the usual strategy to solve this problem is the mixture of seeds from different populations. There is no information about the number of fragments needed to ensure a minimum amount of genetic variability in seeds, as well as about the collecting procedure that should be followed. Genetic monitoring could be an alternative method to provide a good quality in the gathering of seeds. We present a case study using samples of Croton floribundus and Peltophorum dubium from forest fragments from northern Paraná, Brazil. Molecular markers (RAPD) were used to analyze the genetic structure of different sampling points in order to establish strategies for collecting seeds of these two species, which are commonly used for the restoration of Atlantic Forest. Results suggest that, at least for these two species, seeds can be obtained from a few fragments, in one or two regions, as a strategy for optimizing the collection of seeds used in restoration, as well as part of genetic diversity lost during forest fragmentation.