Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Goat willow (Salix caprea L.) is an ecologically important, cold-tolerant pioneer species that spreads from central Anatolia to Black Sea regions in Türkiye. Completed and ongoing construction of hydroelectric plants, especially in northeastern Türkiye, threaten the genetic resources of goat willow in the region due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Therefore, it is important to assess genetic diversity structure and magnitude of goat willow populations in the northeastern Black Sea Region for effective conservation and utilization of genetic resources of the species. To characterize the genetic diversity of goat willow, 180 trees were sampled from 5 river systems and screened by using ten microsatellite markers for genotyping, consequently analysis were carried out to estimate population genetic diversity parameters of populations. The results revealed that both observed (Ho = 0.50) and expected (He = 0.53) genetic diversities were low, but observed genetic diversity was less than expected due fragmentation and reduction in population sizes. Genetic structure analysis of populations suggested the presence of three major groups. This structuring appeared to be caused by the restricted gene flow (pollen, seed or vegetative material) through insects, wind and water due to geographical barrier (the east Black Sea mountain ranges) acting as geographic isolation mechanism between the populations of the Çoruh river and the river systems located in the west of Çoruh river. To prevent further deterioration of genetic diversity due to habitat loss and fragmentation in the studied river systems in the region, we suggest that one population with high genetic diversity, unique alleles and low inbreeding from each genetic structure cluster should be designated as in situ conservation sites. The genetic resources from such in situ designated populations will facilitate future efficient restoration, genetic resource management and utilization works with the species.
