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Allozyme markers in forest genetic conservation

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  • Application of biochemical markers in forest management
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Abstract

Genetic diversity is important in tree-breeding, in managing rare and endangered tree species, and in maintaining healthy populations of widespread native tree species. Allozymes are useful in determining genetic relationships among species, where they can be used to assess affiliations of rare taxa and predict relative endangerment among species. Because allozymes sometimes yield different information about genetic variation within species than revealed by other traits, when estimates of total or adaptive genetic variation are important, allozymes are best used in conjunction with other traits. Allozymes are useful for measuring direct allelic diversity when designing ex-situ and in-situ conservation strategies. We demonstrate an application of canonical trend-surface analysis for determining locations of in-situ genetic conservation areas. Allozymes also serve as useful markers in monitoring the effects of forest management and other environmental changes on genetic diversity.

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  1. Center for Conservation of Genetic Diversity, Institute of Forest Genetics, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, USDA Forest Service, Box 245, 94701, Berkeley, CA, USA

    C. I. Millar & R. D. Westfall

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  1. C. I. Millar
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  2. R. D. Westfall
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Millar, C.I., Westfall, R.D. Allozyme markers in forest genetic conservation. New Forest 6, 347–371 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00120652

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