Genetic diversity and dynamics in remnant patches of Araucaria angustifolia forest in Paraná State, Brazil : implications for conservation and restoration

The objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity and dynamics in remnant patches of Araucaria angustifolia forest, with different levels of human modification. The Araucaria forest is one of the most important biomes occurring naturally in southern Brazil. Extensive logging and agricu...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Bittencourt, Juliana Vitoria Messias
Published: University of Reading 2007
Subjects:
Online Access:http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.494782
Description
Summary:The objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity and dynamics in remnant patches of Araucaria angustifolia forest, with different levels of human modification. The Araucaria forest is one of the most important biomes occurring naturally in southern Brazil. Extensive logging and agricultural expansion in the last century resulted in significant fragmentation of the forest cover. Molecular genetic markers (microsatellite), combined with population genetics and landscape ecology, were used to improve the understanding of the impact of fragmentation on the forest and to develop guidelines for habitat conservation and restoration.