Genetic Diversity and Conservation of Forest Trees

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Genetics and Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 April 2026) | Viewed by 1247

Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Forest Genetics, Physiology and Plantations, Forest Research Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 132, “St. Kliment Ohridski” blvd., Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: forest genetic resources and biodiversity conservation; adaptive potential of forest tree species

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Genetic diversity is greatly important and plays a key role for species adaptation, ecosystem resilience, and the sustainability of forest ecosystems, especially under the pressure of environmental and anthropogenic impacts. The successful adaptation of natural populations is under threat due to the reduced genetic base resulting from climate and land-use change, habitat fragmentation, biodiversity loss, population bottlenecks, and inbreeding—endangering, in a number of cases, the existence of even some wild populations. The recommendations for the maintenance and conservation of genetic diversity are dominated by in situ methods as they are more acceptable for economic and environmental reasons, ensuring the necessary conditions for the future evolutionary development of the populations. Although ex situ methods are inherently static and only allow for the conservation of the available genetic pool, they represent an integral part of the overall strategy for the long-term conservation of the genetic resources of forest tree species. Continuing threats to the natural populations of forest tree species and the need to broaden the genetic basis in conservation strategies require the application of innovative approaches and the use of modern scientific tools (molecular markers, GIS, and remote sensing) in order to ensure proper understanding, sustainable management, and long-term conservation of forest genetic resources.

Dr. Maria Glushkova
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • genetic diversity
  • natural populations
  • adaptation
  • forest management
  • conservation strategy

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

19 pages, 3095 KB  
Article
Assessing Phenotypes, Genetic Diversity, and Population Structure of Shea Germplasm (Vitellaria paradoxa subsp. paradoxa C.F.Gaertn.) from Senegal and Burkina Faso
by Adja Madjiguene Diallo, Sara Diallo, Robert Kariba, Samuel Muthemba, Jantor Ndalo, Djingdia Lompo, Tore Kiilerich Ravn, Mounirou Hachim Alyr and Prasad Hendre
Forests 2026, 17(2), 188; https://doi.org/10.3390/f17020188 - 31 Jan 2026
Viewed by 803
Abstract
Vitellaria paradoxa subsp. paradoxa C.F.Gaertn., is one of the most important components of sub-Saharan agroforestry systems, providing to rural communities, especially women, with socio- economic, environmental, and nutritional benefits. Despite its importance, the species is threatened and remains semi-domesticated. To better preserve and [...] Read more.
Vitellaria paradoxa subsp. paradoxa C.F.Gaertn., is one of the most important components of sub-Saharan agroforestry systems, providing to rural communities, especially women, with socio- economic, environmental, and nutritional benefits. Despite its importance, the species is threatened and remains semi-domesticated. To better preserve and improve this resource, the genetic diversity and structure of 88 mother trees originated from Senegal and Burkina Faso were studied by analysing 17 phenotypic traits and 3196 SNP markers. The results revealed similar level of observed heterozygosity (Ho) between the Senegalese and Burkinabe populations (Ho = 0.16), whereas the average number of alleles per population (Na) and the expected heterozygosity (He) ranged from 0.33 to 0.34 and 0.38 to 0.39, respectively, indicating moderate to low genetic diversity. Furthermore, the polymorphic information content ranged from 0.15 for Senegal to 0.25 for Burkina Faso. Both ADMIXTURE and cluster analysis delineated our collection into two groups depending on the origin. The AMOVA showed that the highest fraction of variation was within individual, indicating a very low genetic differentiation (Fst = 0.0006) between population. At the phenotypic level, the G2 cluster representing the Senegalese genepool recorded the highest performance in terms of nut and kernel attributes, cariten and unsaponifiable matters contents, while higher crude fat, Diglyceride, Triglyceride, and Triacylglycerol Mono Stearoyl Olein Stearin contents were observed in the Burkina Faso collection (G1). The present findings on the species’ genetic diversity and genetic structure constitute a good start to strengthen the species tree improvement and conservation programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Diversity and Conservation of Forest Trees)
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