Assessing Population Genetic Status for Designing Plant Translocations

Assisted gene flow interventions such as plant translocations are valuable complementary techniques to habitat restoration. Bringing new genetic variants can contribute increasing diversity and evolutionary resilience, counteract inbreeding depression improve fitness through heterosis. Large, highly genetically variable populations usually recommended sources for translocation. Unfortunately, many critically endangered species only occur small populations, which expected show low variation, high level, paucity of compatible mates in self-incompatible species, increased divergence. Therefore, assessment population status is required an appropriate choice the source populations. In this paper, we exemplify different analyses relevant evaluation combining both molecular (plastid nuclear) markers fitness-related quantitative traits. We assessed adult generation their seed progeny (the potential translocation founders) Campanula glomerata (Campanulaceae), a insect-pollinated herbaceous Belgium. Only few remain, so that has been part restoration project calcareous grasslands implementing translocations. particular, estimated diversity, levels, structure adults progeny, recent bottlenecks, clonal extent adults, contemporary flow, effective size ( N e ), parentage, sibship variation. Small C. presented extensive pollen within with multiple parentage among progenies, could be good candidates As differentiated from each other, mixing will not optimize number translocated but also representativeness regional diversity. Genetic no immediate threat persistence, , restricted among-population evidence processes leading erosion, require management measures these trends stochastic vulnerability. Habitat facilitating recruitment, flowering pollination, reconnecting by biological corridors or stepping stones, creating protected areas particularly recommended.