Strong spatial structuring of clonal genetic diversity within blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) hedgerows and woodlands

Abstract Hedgerows are an important component of agricultural landscapes, but in recent years have increasingly faced threats such as habitat loss, land use change, climate invasive species, pests and plant pathogens. Given the potential importance genetic diversity countering these threats, spatial distribution within across natural populations, we analyzed levels patterns blackthorn ( Prunus spinosa ), a key many hedgerows. Twenty-one populations from mixture hedgerows woodlands were genotyped for four nuclear five chloroplast microsatellites. Three hundred twenty-one unique clonal genotypes identified 558 individuals analyzed, 207 which found single individual. With exception population that appears to been planted recently seed (Peatlands Park), all exhibited evidence vegetative reproduction via suckering. Multi-ramet clones highly spatially structured ranged size < 1 258 m. These findings indicate asexual is widespread studied. Although clonality varied study sites, there was clear structuring each case. Such organization should be taken into account hedge management or where planting replanting becomes necessary. Knowledge extent source will allow selection genetically divergent material, rather than replicates same genotype.