Genetic Considerations in the Restoration of Small Forest Populations: Perspectives From Fish and Wildlife Genetics

Abstract

The evolutionary forces that drive recent population genetic changes include migration, mating strategy, genetic drift, and selection. However, the strength of these forces varies depending on population size. The purpose of this article is to review genetic issues associated with small forest populations and to provide perspectives from fish and wildlife genetics through case studies. Small populations are often fragmented, potentially preventing migration. In forest trees, long-distance pollen dispersal and highly mobile, generalist pollinators can help maintain connectivity. A landscape and community approach to understanding connectivity is critical (case study: mussels). Outbreeding depression can also be a concern in forest restoration. This becomes a greater risk when mixing populations that are highly diverged and when the species is polyploid. Management units should be designated that mimic natural gene flow (case study: lake sturgeon). At the other extreme, inbreeding depression can result in reduced fitness. When inbreeding depression is a concern, genetic rescue may be necessary (case study: Florida panther). Loss of diversity through genetic drift can occur with small effective population sizes (N_e) and a small number of founders (case study: salmonids). Selection is most likely to occur through adaptation to captivity or introduction of resistant/tolerant strains (case study: amphibians).

KEYWORDS:

• population genetics
• restoration
• conservation
• small populations