Disturbance and density-dependent processes (competition and facilitation) influence the fine-scale genetic structure of a tree species' population.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Disturbances, dispersal and biotic interactions are three major drivers of the spatial distribution of genotypes within populations, the last of which has been less studied than the other two. This study aimed to determine the role of competition and facilitation in the degree of conspecific genetic relatedness of nearby individuals of tree populations. It was expected that competition among conspecifics will lead to low relatedness, while facilitation will lead to high relatedness (selection for high relatedness within clusters).

Methods

The stand structure and spatial genetic structure (SGS) of trees were examined within old-growth and second-growth forests (including multi-stemmed trees at the edge of forests) of Nothofagus pumilio following large-scal

SUBMITTER: Fajardo A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4701149 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature