Microsatellite DNA analysis of genetic effects of harvesting in old‐growth eastern white pine ( Pinus strobus ) in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Microsatellite DNA markers from 13 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci were used to compare genetic diversity between preharvest pristine and postharvest residual gene pools of two adjacent virgin, old‐growth (≈ 250 years) stands of eastern white pine ( Pinus strobus L.) in Ontario. There was concurrence in genetic diversity changes in the postharvest gene pools of the two stands. The total and mean numbers of alleles detected in each stand were reduced by ≈ 26% after tree density reductions of ≈ 75%. Approximately 18 and 21% of the low‐frequency (0.25 > P ≥ 0.01) alleles and 76 and 92% of the rare ( P Buchert et al . 1997 ). The results indicate that silvicultural practices should ensure that the gene pools of remaining pristine old‐growth stands are reconstituted in the regenerating stands.

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