Genetic Diversity and Hybridization in Betula and Alnus Species
Summary
The genera Betula (birches) and Alnus (alders) are keystone components of temperate and boreal ecosystems across the Northern Hemisphere. Genetic diversity within and among their populations underpins resilience to environmental change, disease and habitat fragmentation. In Betula, variation in ploidy levels—diploid, tetraploid and allopolyploid lineages—has produced complex patterns of hybridization and introgression, often leading to cryptic species and blurred taxonomic boundaries. In Alnus, ecological functions such as nitrogen fixation and riparian stabilisation have driven interest in population structure and the viability of natural regeneration. Recent advances in molecular markers, from microsatellites to restriction site-associated DNA sequencing, have revealed fine-scale population subdivision, historic refugia and modern hybrid zones. These insights inform germplasm banking, restoration planting and conservation of marginal rear-edge populations which may harbour unique alleles. Understanding the interplay of genetic diversity and hybridization across both genera is essential for maintaining forest health, managing genetic resources and predicting responses to climate and land-use change.
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Genetic Diversity and Hybridization in Betula and Alnus Species publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in genetic diversity and hybridization in betula and alnus species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Genetic diversity: The total variation in DNA sequences among individuals within or between populations.
Hybridization: The interbreeding of individuals from genetically distinct populations or species.
Introgression: The incorporation of genes from one species into the gene pool of another through repeated backcrossing.
Ploidy: The number of complete sets of chromosomes in a cell, for example diploid (2n) or tetraploid (4n).
Microsatellite markers (SSR): Short, tandemly repeated DNA motifs used to assess genetic variation.
RAD sequencing: A genomic method that samples thousands of loci adjacent to restriction enzyme cut sites for population analysis.
Haplotype: A set of alleles or DNA sequence variants that tend to be inherited together on the same chromosome.
References
- Betula mcallisteri sp. nov. (sect. Acuminatae, Betulaceae), a new diploid species overlooked in the wild and in cultivation, and its relation to the widespread B. luminifera. Frontiers in Plant Science (2023).
- Genetic Diversity of Dominant Species Betula pendula in River Valley Forests in the Irtysh River Basin and Sustainable Conservation Measures for the Future. Sustainability (2024).
- Analyses of Hybrid Viability across a Hybrid Zone between Two Alnus Species Using Microsatellites and cpDNA Markers. Genes (2020).
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