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Abstract
Loss of populations and individuals within species to human-induced selective forces can result in loss of specific genes and overall genetic diversity upon which productivity, ecosystem stability, long-term survival, and evolution depend. This is particularly true for long-lived organisms, such as forest trees, because genetic diversity confers adaptability necessary for trees to persist across temporally and spatially variable environments. Forest management is an anthropogenic force by which forest managers selectively remove individual trees from a population leaving a residual stand to provide the gene pool for future generations. Very little is known about the influence of forest management and silvicultural practices on the genetic diversity within forest ecosystems. The goal of this research was to evaluate the impacts of forest management on genetic diversity of forest ecosystems.
Parent Publication
Citation
Hawley, Gary J.; DeHayes, Donald H.; Brissette, John C. 2000. Changes in the genetic diversity of eastern hemlock as a result of different forest management practices. In: McManus, Katherine A.; Shields, Kathleen S.; Souto, Dennis R., eds. Proceedings: Symposium on sustainable management of hemlock ecosystems in eastern North America. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-267. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. p.122.
