抄録
The aim of this research was to develop an indicator of genetic diversity for three major conifer species, Abies sachalinensis, Picea jezoensis and Picea glehnii, and to evaluate landscape-level genetic diversity in the Toyohira River basin, of Hokkaido, Japan. Biodiversity is a key factor for sustainable forest management and often defined at three levels, ecosystem of region, species and genes. Ecosystem and species levels of diversity can be evaluated at the landscape level based on ground survey and spatial information. On the other hand, genetic diversity at the landscape level is rather difficult to assess due to the size of the distribution area and because ground surveys and direct measurements of genetic difference are needed to clarify biogeographical characteristics. For this study, we first defined a genetically homogeneous area. We then developed a genetic diversity indicator, "number of fathers," using forest register information. Finally, we evaluated the genetic diversity in our target basin. The results show that Abies sachalinensis and Picea jezoensis were widely distributed in their own "high diversity" genetic zone, whereas the high-diversity zone for Picea glehnii was distributed as islands. These results reflect biogeographic characteristics and show that the developed indicator for genetic diversity is appropriate for illustrating landscape-level genetic diversity in the Toyohira River basin.
