Impacts of habitat fragmentation on the genetic diversity of the endangered Guatemalan fir (<i>Abies guatemalensis</i> Rehder)

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60460709%3A41340%2F25%3A103243" target="_blank" >RIV/60460709:41340/25:103243 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10709-024-00225-0" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1007/s10709-024-00225-0</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10709-024-00225-0" target="_blank" >10.1007/s10709-024-00225-0</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Impacts of habitat fragmentation on the genetic diversity of the endangered Guatemalan fir (<i>Abies guatemalensis</i> Rehder)

Original language description

Abies guatemalensis Rehder, an endangered conifer endemic to Central American highlands, is ecologically vital in upper montane forests. It faces threats from habitat fragmentation, unsustainable logging, and illegal Christmas tree harvesting. While previous genetic studies on mature trees from eighteen populations showed high within-population diversity and limited among-population differentiation, the genetic impact of recent anthropogenic pressures on younger generations has yet to be discovered. Understanding these effects is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies for this vulnerable species. We sampled 170 young trees (< 15 years old) from seven populations across Guatemala. Seven microsatellite markers were used to analyse genetic diversity, population structure, and recent demographic history. Moderate levels of genetic diversity were observed within populations (mean Shannon diversity index = 4.97, mean Simpson's index = 0.51, mean allelic richness = 11.59, mean observed heterozygosity = 0.59). Although genetic structure broadly aligned with mountain corridors, substantial admixture patterns suggest historical connectivity across all populations. Most populations showed evidence of recent bottlenecks (p < 0.05) and inbreeding. The results suggest a potential decline in genetic diversity and increased population structuring (Phi(ST) = 0.274, p < 0.01) over the past decades compared to the previous study on old trees. The observed genetic patterns indicate ongoing impacts of habitat fragmentation and anthropogenic pressures on A. guatemalensis. Conservation efforts should prioritise expanding effective population sizes and facilitating gene flow, particularly for isolated populations. While restoration efforts may be logistically easier within mountain ranges, genetic evidence suggests that increasing overall population connectivity could benefit this species. Management strategies should implement systematic seed collection protocols to maintain genetic diversity in future populations. These findings highlight the urgent need for conservation measures to preserve remaining genetic diversity and promote connectivity among A. guatemalensis populations.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10603 - Genetics and heredity (medical genetics to be 3)

Project

—

Continuities

S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

GENETICA

ISSN

0016-6707

e-ISSN

0016-6707

Volume of the periodical

153

Issue of the periodical within the volume

DEC 2025

Country of publishing house

CZ - CZECH REPUBLIC

Number of pages

18

Pages from-to

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UT code for WoS article

001382944300001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85212764826