Spatially-explicit analyses reveal the distribution of genetic diversity and plant conservation status in Cerrado biome

• Published in: Biodiversity and conservation Vol. 29; no. 5; pp. 1537 - 1554
• Main Authors: Ballesteros-Mejia, Liliana, Lima, Jacqueline S., Collevatti, Rosane G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.04.2020; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analysis; Biodiversity; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomes; Brazil; cerrado; Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts; Conservation; Conservation areas; Conservation Biology/Ecology; Conservation status; Decision making; Distribution; Ecology; Ecosystems; energy; Genetic analysis; Genetic diversity; Genetic research; Genetic variation; Habitat fragmentation; Habitat loss; human development; humans; Life Sciences; Original Paper; Plant conservation; Population genetics; Population studies; Populations; temperature; Wildlife conservation; Cerrado Biome; Brazil; Spatial interpolation; Conservation priority; Human development index; Conservation genetics; Kriging; Fragmentation
• ISSN: 0960-3115; 1572-9710
• DOI: 10.1007/s10531-018-1588-9

Despite the huge biodiversity of the Cerrado biome, a synthesis on the distribution of genetic diversity across the biome is still wanting. We describe patterns of plant genetic variation across the Cerrado biome, highlighting areas of high diversity and priority areas for conservation. We also analyze the relative importance of environmental characteristics and human footprints on patterns of genetic variation. Raw genetic data comes primarily from central and southeastern Brazil, outside conservation units (CUs). Standardized estimated genetic richness (G est ) decreases in a north–south gradient. Populations with high genetic diversity ( He ) and allelic richness ( AR ) are widespread across the biome, but both increase with distance from the center of Cerrado. Environmental variables related to energy, temperature and precipitation are associated with G est and AR , but not He . G est is higher in northern Cerrado, in regions with low human development index (HDI). Conversely, southern Cerrado shows higher HDI and lower genetic richness, most likely due to both high habitat fragmentation and loss. CUs in northern Cerrado tend to have higher G est , whereas those in southeast and central Cerrado have higher He and AR . The high genetic diversity and richness in the few populations studied in northern Cerrado, coupled with the low data availability, reveal the importance of encouraging genetic studies in this region. Moreover, very limited information about population genetic diversity is available from CUs, which may constrain the access of species conservation status and decision-make on management of populations inside CUs.