Genetic Diversity and Evolutionary Dynamics in Plant Populations

Genetic diversity underpins the capacity of plant populations to respond to environmental change, resist disease and adapt to novel stresses. Within and between populations, variation arises through mutation, recombination and the reshuffling of alleles by gene flow and genetic drift. Spatial heterogeneity in climate, soil and topography can drive local adaptation and phylogeographic structuring, while historical events such as glaciation cycles and tectonic shifts have left indelible signatures on lineage divergence. Modern approaches combine high‐throughput genotyping, ecological niche modelling and demographic inference to reconstruct population histories, identify refugia and predict future range shifts under climate warming. Integrating genomic data with ecological and biogeographical models has yielded insights into how rare and widespread species differ in their evolutionary trajectories, informing conservation strategies and the management of genetic resources on a global scale.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Analyses of genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphisms in an endemic mountain species have confirmed its monophyly, clarified sister‐group relationships and revealed two principal population clusters. Most genetic variation was found within rather than among populations, providing a baseline for conservation planning and highlighting the role of Pleistocene refugia in maintaining diversity. In a living‐fossil tree, the resequencing of hundreds of genomes from across its extant range identified multiple glacial refugia in Asia and documented cycles of expansion, contraction and admixture. This work also uncovered climatic variables and selective sweeps associated with adaptation, as well as anthropogenic translocations that have shaped its modern distribution.

Genetic Diversity and Evolutionary Dynamics in Plant Populations publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics in plant populations across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Genetic diversity: The total variation of alleles or genotypes within and among populations, reflecting evolutionary potential.

Phylogeography: The study of historical processes that determine the geographic distributions of genealogical lineages.

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP): A variation at a single base pair in DNA, commonly used as a marker for population genetics.

Ecological niche modelling (ENM): A computational method that predicts species’ potential distributions based on environmental variables.

Refugium: A location where populations persist during adverse climatic periods, serving as a source for later recolonisation.

Genetic bottleneck: A sharp reduction in population size leading to loss of genetic variation and increased genetic drift.

References

1. Ensemble species distribution modeling and multilocus phylogeography provide insight into the spatial genetic patterns and distribution dynamics of a keystone forest species, Quercus glauca. BMC Plant Biology (2024).
2. Phylogeography of Pterocarya hupehensis reveals the evolutionary patterns of a Cenozoic relict tree around the Sichuan Basin. Forestry Research (2024).
3. Phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity of the Korean endemic Phedimus latiovalifolius (Crassulaceae) and its close relatives. Scientific Reports (2024).
4. Resequencing 545 ginkgo genomes across the world reveals the evolutionary history of the living fossil. Nature Communications (2019).