Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Integrating approaches towards the conservation of forest genetic resources: a case study of Araucaria angustifolia

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Biodiversity and Conservation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the past years the conservation of forest genetic resources has been widely recognized because of the risk of adverse effects associated with global changes in the environment. Since little effort has been made towards conservation of these resources, the assessment and the integration of information and knowledge so far generated are valuable tools in order to promote their conservation. In the present work the Brazilian conifer Araucaria angustifolia was used as a case study, integrating information, published between 1980 and 2007, about genetics, biotechnology, palaeobotany, and archeology. These studies were interpreted towards the conservation needs and strategies of the species germplasm. The main conclusions for the conservation of A. angustifolia genetic resources are: (1) despite the reduction of genetic diversity by unsustainable forest exploitation, the genetic system of A. angustifolia seems to be efficient to protect this species against rapid losses of its genetic diversity; (2) conservation measures starting now may be efficient, since the genetic structures of existing populations is more largely influenced by the past evolutionary process than by human disturbance occurred in the last century; (3) there are opportunities to save the genetic resources of the species, if simple measures are taken to safeguard the continued existence of the few remaining araucaria forests. Emerged as a general conclusion that the use of sound scientific arguments supported by different areas of the science could be a very powerful instrument in persuading decision-makers, also by governments, taking into account forest genetic resources as a primary issue for the future.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Astarita LV, Guerra MP (1998) Early somatic embryogenesis in Araucaria angustifolia—induction and maintenance of embryonal-suspensor mass cultures. Braz J Plant Physiol 10:113–118

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Auler NMF, Reis MS, Guerra MP, Nodari RO (2002) The genetics and conservation of Araucaria angustifolia: I. Genetic structure and diversity of natural populations by means of non-adaptive variation in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Genet Mol Biol 25:329–338. doi:10.1590/S1415-47572002000300014

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Behling H (1995) Investigations into the Late Pleistocene and Holocene history of vegetation and climate in Santa Catarina (S Brazil). Veget Hist Archaeobot 4:127–152. doi:10.1007/BF00203932

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Behling H (1997a) Late Quaternary vegetation, climate and fire history from the tropical mountain region of Morro de Itapeva, SE Brazil. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 129:407–422. doi:10.1016/S0031-0182(97)88177-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Behling H (1997b) Late Quaternary vegetation, climate and fire history of the Araucaria forest and campos region from Serra Campos Gerais, Paraná State (South Brazil). Rev Palaeobot Palynol 97:109–121. doi:10.1016/S0034-6667(96)00065-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Behling H (2002) South and Southeast Brazilian grasslands during Late Quaternary times: a synthesis. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 177:19–27. doi:10.1016/S0031-0182(01)00349-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Behling H, Negrelle RRB (2006) Vegetation and pollen rain relationship from the Tropical Atlantic Rain forest in southern Brazil. Braz Arch Biol Technol 49:631–642. doi:10.1590/S1516-89132006000500013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Behling H, Bauermann SG, Neves PC (2001) Holocene environmental changes in the São Francisco de Paula region, southern Brazil. J S Am Earth Sci 14:631–639. doi:10.1016/S0895-9811(01)00040-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bitencourt ALV, Krauspenhar PM (2006) Possible prehistoric anthropogenic effect on Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze expansion during the Late Holocene. Rev Bras Paleo 9:109–116. doi:10.4072/rbp.2006.1.12

    Google Scholar 

  • Bittencourt JVM, Sebbenn AM (2007) Patterns of pollen and seed dispersal in a small fragmented population of the wind-pollinated tree Araucaria angustifolia in southern Brazil. Heredity 99:580–591. doi:10.1038/sj.hdy.6801019

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bittencourt JVM, Sebbenn AM (2008) Pollen movement within a continuous forest of wind-pollinated Araucaria angustifolia, inferred from paternity and TwoGener analysis. Conserv Genet 9:855–868

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cavalli-Sforza LL, Edwards AWF (1967) Phylogenetic analysis: models and estimation procedures. Evolution Int J Org Evolution 32:550–570. doi:10.2307/2406616

    Google Scholar 

  • Demarchi G (2003) Criopreservação de culturas embriogênicas de Araucaria angustifolia Bert O. Kuntze. Dissertation, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

  • Ennos RA (1994) Estimating the relative rates of pollen and seed migration among plant populations. Heredity 72:250–259. doi:10.1038/hdy.1994.35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finkeldey R (1996) Conservation of forest genetic resources in tropical Asia. In: Park YG, Sakomoto S (eds) Biodiversity and conservation of plant genetic resources in Asia. Japan Scientific Society Press, Tokyo

    Google Scholar 

  • Finkeldey R, Hattemer HH (2007) Tropical forest genetics. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Geburek T, Konrad H (2008) Why the conservation of forest genetic resources has not worked. Conserv Biol 22:267–274. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.00900.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Geburek Th, Turok J (2005) Conservation and management of forest genetic resources in Europe. Arbora Publisher, Zvolen

    Google Scholar 

  • Guerra MP, Silveira V, Reis MS, Schneider L (2002) Exploração, manejo e conservação da araucária (Araucaria angustifolia). In: Simões LL, Lino CF (eds) Sustenável mata atlântica: a exploração de seus recursos florestais. Editora SENAC, São Paulo

    Google Scholar 

  • Guerra MP, Steiner N, Mantovani A, Nodari RO, Reis MS, dos Santos KL (2008) Evolução, ontogênese e diversidade genética em Araucaria angustifolia. In: Barbieri RL, Stumpf ERT (eds) Origem e evolução de Plantas Cultivadas. EMBRAPA, Brasília, pp 149–184

    Google Scholar 

  • Hampp R, Mertz A, Schaible R, Schwaigere M, Nehls U (2000) Distinction of Araucaria angustifolia seeds from different locations in Brazil by a specific DNA sequence. Trees (Berl) 14:429–434. doi:10.1007/s004680000060

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamrick JL, Godt MJW (1989) Allozyme diversity in plant species. In: Brown AHD, Clegg MT, Kahler AL, Weir BS (eds) Plant population genetics, breeding and genetic resources. Sinauer, Sunderland

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendrick PW (2005) A standardized genetic differentiation measure. Evolution Int J Org Evolution 59:1633–1638

    Google Scholar 

  • Hueck K (1952) Verbreitung und Standortansprüche der brasilianischen Araukarie (Araucaria angustifolia). Forstwissenchaftliches Centralblatt 71:272–289. doi:10.1007/BF01822117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iriarte J, Behling H (2007) The expansion of Araucaria forest in the southern Brazilian highlands during the last 4,000 years and its implications for the development of the Taquara/Itararé Tadition. Environ Archaeol 12:115–127. doi:10.1179/174963107x226390

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iritani C, Zanette F, Cislinkski J (1992) Aspectos anatômicos da cultura in vitro da Araucaria angustifolia. I. Organização e desenvolvimento dos meristemas axilares ortotrópicos de segmentos caulinares. Acta Bot Paranaense 21:57–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Iritani C, Zanette F, Cislinkski J (1993) Aspectos anatômicos da cultura in vitro da Araucaria angustifolia. II. O enraizamento dos brotos axilares. Acta Bot Paranaense 22:1–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Kageyama P, Jacob WS (1980) Variação genética entre e dentro de progênies de uma população de Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze. In: IUFRO Meeting on Forestry Problems of the Genus Araucaria, Curitiba, 21–28 October 1979

  • Kettle CJ, Hollingsworth PM, Jaffré T, Moran B, Ennos RA (2007) Identifying the early genetic consequences of habitat degradation in a highly threatened tropical conifer, Araucaria nemorosa Laubenfels. Mol Ecol 16:3581–3591. doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2007.03419.x

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kitamura K, Rahman MYBA (1992) Gentic diversity among natural populations of Agathis borneensis (Araucariaceae), a tropical rain forest conifer from Brunei Darussalam, Borneo, Southeast Asia. Can J Bot 70:1945–1949. doi:10.1139/b92-242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ledru M-P, Salgado-Labouriau ML, Lorscheitter ML (1998) Vegetation dynamics in southern and central Brazil during the last 10, 000 yr B.P. Rev Palaeobot Palynol 99:131–142. doi:10.1016/S0034-6667(97)00049-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Machado SA, Siqueira JDP (1980) Distribuição natural da Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze. In: IUFRO Meeting on Forestry Problems of the Genus Araucaria, Curitiba, 21–28 October 1979

  • Mantovani A, Morellato APC, Reis MS (2006) Internal genetic structure and outcrossing rate in a natural population of Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze. J Hered 97:466–472. doi:10.1093/jhered/esl031

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mazza MCM (1997) Use of RAPD markers in the study of genetic diversity of Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) populations in Brazil. International Foundation for Science, Florianópolis

    Google Scholar 

  • Medri C, Ruas PM, Higa AR, Murakami M, a Ruas C (2003) Effects of forest management on the genetic diversity in a population of Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.). O. Kuntze. Silvae Genet 52:202–205

    Google Scholar 

  • Monteiro RFR, Spelz RM (1980) Ensaio de 24 progênies de Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze. In: IUFRO Meeting on Forestry Problems of the Genus Araucaria, Curitiba, 21–28 October 1979

  • Nei M (1973) Analysis of gene diversity in subdivided populations. Proc Nat Acad Sci USA 70:3321–3323

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nybom H (2004) Comparison of different nuclear DNA markers for estimating intraspecific genetic diversity in plants. Mol Ecol 13:1143–1155. doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2004.02141.x

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nybom H, Bartish IV (2000) Effects of life traits and sampling strategies on genetic diversity estimates obtained with RAPD markers in plants. Perspect Plant Ecol Evol Syst 3:93–114. doi:10.1078/1433-8319-00006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patreze CM (2008) Análise molecular da diversidade genética em una população natural de Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze no estado de São Paulo. Dissertation, Universidade de São Paulo

  • Peakall R, Ebert D, Scott LJ, Meagher PF, Offord CA (2003) Comparative genetic study confirms exceptionally low genetic variation in the ancient and endangered relictual conifer, Wollemia nobilis (Araucariaceae). Mol Ecol 12:2331–2343. doi:10.1046/j.1365-294X.2003.01926.x

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Petit RJ, Duminil J, Fineschi S, Hampe A, Slavini D, Vendramin GG (2005) Comparative organization of chloroplast, mitochondrial and nuclear diversity in plant populations. Mol Ecol 14:689–701. doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2004.02410.x

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pritchard JK, Stephens M, Donnely P (2000) Inference of population structure using multilocus genotype data. Genetics 155:945–959

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reitz PR, Klein RM (1966) Araucariaceae: flora ilustrada catarinense. Herbário Barbosa Rodrigues, Itajaí

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson A, Hollingsworth PM, Kettle CJ, Ennos RA, Gardner MF (2004) Characterization of nuclear microsatellites in New Caledonian Araucaria species. Mol Ecol Notes 4:62–63

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz E, Gonzáles F, Torres-Díaz C, Fuentes G, Mardones M, Stuessy T, Samuel R, Becerra J, Silva M (2007) Genetic diversity and differentiation with and among Chilean populations of Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) based on allozyme variability. Taxon 56:1221–1228

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryder OA (1986) Species conservation and systematics: the dilemma of subspecies. Trends Ecol Evol 1:9–10. doi:10.1016/0169-5347(86)90059-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salgueiro F, Caron H, de Souza MIF, Kremer A, Margis R (2005) Characterization of nuclear microsatellite loci in South American Araucariaceae species. Mol Ecol Notes 5:256–258. doi:10.1111/j.1471-8286.2005.00899.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Santos ALW, Silveira V, Steiner N, Vidor M, Guerra MP (2002) Somatic embryogenesis in Parana Pine (Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze). Braz Arch Biol Technol 45:97–106. doi:10.1590/S1516-89132002000100015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schlögl PS (2000) Análise da diversidade genética em regiões não codificadoras de DNAs de cloroplasto em Araucaria angustifolia por PCR-RFLP. Dissertation, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

  • Schlögl PS, Souza AP, Nodari RO (2007) PCR-RFLP analysis of non-coding regions of cpDNA in Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze. Genet Mol Biol 30:423–427

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt AB, Ciampi AY, Guerra MP, Nodari RO (2007) isolation and characterization of microsatelite markers for Araucaria angustifolia (Araucariaceae). Mol Ecol Notes 7:340–342. doi:10.1111/j.1471-8286.2006.01602.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schmitz PI, Becker IIB (2006) Os primitivos engenheiros do planalto e suas estruturas subterrâneas: a tradição Taquara. In: Schmitz PI (ed) Pré-história do Rio Grande do Sul, 2nd edn. Instituto Anchietano de Pesquisas—Unisinos, São Leopoldo

    Google Scholar 

  • Sebbenn AM, Pontinha AAS, Giannotti E, Kageyama PY (2003) Genetic variation in provenance-progeny test of Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze. in São Paulo, Brazil. Silvae Genet 52:181–184

    Google Scholar 

  • Sebbenn AM, Pontinha AAS, Freitas SA, Freitas JA (2004) Variação genética em cinco procedências de Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze. No sul do estado de São Paulo. Rev Inst Florestal 16:91–99

    Google Scholar 

  • Shimizu JY, Higa AR (1980) Variação genética entre procedências de Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze. na região de Itapeva-SP, estimada até o 6.° ano de idade. In: IUFRO Meeting on Forestry Problems of the Genus Araucaria, Curitiba, 21–28 October 1979

  • Shimizu JY, Jaeger P, Sopchaki SA (2000) Variabilidade genética em uma população remanescente de araucária no Parque Nacional do Iguaçú, Brasil. Bol Pesq Fl 41:18–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Silveira V, Steiner N, Santos ALW, Nodari RO, Guerra MP (2002) Biotechnology tolls in Araucaria angustifolia conservation and improvement: inductive factors affecting somatic embryogenesis. Crop Breed Appl Biotechnol 2:463–470

    Google Scholar 

  • Silveira V, Santa-Catarina C, Tun NN, Scherer GFE, Handro W, Guerra MP, Floh EIS (2006) Polyamine efects on the endogenous polyamine contents, nitric oxide release, growth and differentiation of embryogenic suspension cultures of Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze. Plant Sci 171:91–98. doi:10.1016/j.plantsci.2006.02.015

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Soares RV (1979) Considerações sobre a regeneração natural da Araucaria anustifolia. Floresta 10:12–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Sousa MIF (2006) Análise da diversidade genética em populações de Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze utilizando marcador AFLP. Dissertation, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

  • Sousa VA, Hattemer HH (2003) Pollen dispersal and gene flow by pollen in Araucaria angustifolia. Aust J Bot 51:309–317. doi:10.1071/BT02037

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sousa VA, Hattemer HH, Robinson IP (2002) Inheritance and linkage relationships of isoenzymes variants of Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze. Silvae Genet 51:191–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Sousa VA, Robinson IP, Hattemer HH (2004) Variation and population structure at enzyme gene loci in Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.). O. Ktze. Silvae Genet 53:12–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Sousa VA, Sebbenn AM, Hattemer HH, Ziehe M (2005) Correlated mating in populations of a dioecious Brazilian conifer, Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze. For Genet 12:107–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Stefenon VM, Nodari RO, Reis MS (2003) Padronização de protocolo AFLP e sua capacidade informative para análise da diversidade genética em Araucaria angustifolia. Scientia Forestalis 64:163–171

    Google Scholar 

  • Stefenon VM, Nodari RO, Guerra MP (2004) Genética e conservação de Araucaria angustifolia: III. Protocolo de extração de DNA e capacidade informativa de marcadores RAPD para análise da diversidae genética em populações naturais. Biotemas 17:47–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Stefenon VM, Gailing O, Finkeldey R (2006) Searching natural populations of Araucaria. angustifolia: conservation strategies for forest genetic resources in southern Brazil. In: Bohnes J and Paar E (eds) Forstliche Genressources als Produktionsfaktor. Proceedings of the 26th Tagung der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Forstgenetik und Forstpflanzenzüchtung. Hessen-Forst Forsteinrichtung, Information, Versuchwesen

  • Stefenon VM, Gailing O, Finkeldey R (2007a) Genetic structure of Araucaria angustifolia (Araucariaceae) in Brazil: implications for the in situ conservation of genetic resources. Plant Biol 9:516–525. doi:10.1055/s-2007-964974

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stefenon VM, Gailing O, Finkeldey R (2007b) Recovery and conservation of Araucaria forest in Brazil through plantation’s establishment: a genetic point of view. In: Proceedings of the Conference on International Agricultural Research for Development, Tropentag 2007. http://www.tropentag2007/abstract/full/160.pdf cited 20 may 2008

  • Stefenon VM, Gailing O, Finkeldey R (2008a) The role of gene flow in shaping genetic structures of the subtropical conifer species Araucaria angustifolia. Plant Biol 10:356–364. doi:10.1111/j.1438-8677.2008.00048.x

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stefenon VM, Behling H, Gailing O, Finkeldey R (2008b) Evidences of delayed size recovery in Araucaria angustifolia populations after post-glacial colonization of highlands in Southeastern Brazil. An Acad Bras Cienc 80:433–443. doi:10.1590/S0001-37652008000300005

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stefenon VM, Gailing O, Finkeldey R (2008c) Genetic structure of plantations and the conservation of genetic resources of Brazilian pine (Araucaria angustifolia). For Ecol Manage 255:2718–2725. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2008.01.036

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steiner N (2005) Parâmetros fisiológicos e bioquímicos durante e embriogênese zigótica e somática de Araucaria angustifolia Bert O. Kuntze. Dissertation, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

  • Steiner N, Vieira FN, Maldonado S, Guerra MP (2005) Effect of carbon source on morphology and histodifferentiation of Araucaria angustifolia embryogenic cultures. Braz Arch Biol Technol 48:895–903

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Steiner N, Santa-Catarina C, Silveira V, Floh EIS, Guerra MP (2007) Polyamine effects on growth and endogenous hormones levels in Araucaria angustifolia embryogenic cultures. Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult 89:55–62

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ziehe M, Gregorius H-R, Glock H, Hattemer HH, Herzog S (1989) Gene resources and gene conservation in forest trees: general concepts. In: Scholz F, Gregorius H-R, Rudin D (eds) Genetic effects of air pollutants in forest tree populations. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The research was supported by a Post-Doctoral grant from CNPq/Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology to VMS. NS, MPG, and RON thanks to CNPq for grants and fellowships.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus São Gabriel, Av. Antonio Trilha 1847, São Gabriel, RS, 97300-000, Brazil

    Valdir Marcos Stefenon

  2. Laboratory of Developmental Physiology and Plant Genetics, Graduate Program in Plant Genetic Resources, Federal University of Santa Catarina, CP 476, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil

    Neusa Steiner, Miguel Pedro Guerra & Rubens Onofre Nodari

Authors
  1. Valdir Marcos Stefenon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Neusa Steiner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Miguel Pedro Guerra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Rubens Onofre Nodari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Valdir Marcos Stefenon.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stefenon, V.M., Steiner, N., Guerra, M.P. et al. Integrating approaches towards the conservation of forest genetic resources: a case study of Araucaria angustifolia . Biodivers Conserv 18, 2433–2448 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-009-9600-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-009-9600-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation