Conservation of genetic diversity in artificially regenerated holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) populations

Abstract

Reforestation with autochtonous species should take into account the preservation of the variability and the geographical structure of genetic diversity in forest species. In order to provide empirical data, genetic composition of an artificial population of holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) and its natural seed-origin population in Andalusia were analysed with six microsatellite loci. The genetic diversity indices applied show a reduction in the artificial stand if compared with the natural one, probably due to an inappropriate forester seed collection strategy limited to a few trees.