Interests
Genetic variation is a fundamental level of biodiversity that ensures the long-term persistence of species. However, previous biodiversity assessments often relied solely on measures of species diversity and neglected the importance of intraspecific genetic variation for conservation purposes. Indeed, this type of diversity might be put at risk by the intense management of semi-natural habitats. Whereas this link between genetic diversity and man-made disturbance has been well studied in grassland ecosystems, we are lacking these insights in forest ecosystems. Furthermore, an initial reduction of genetic diversity might be a precursor of a pending decline in species diversity. Thus, the questions I want to answer are:
• What is the effect of land-use in forests on intraspecific genetic variation?
• What is the relationship between genetic and species diversity?
Methods
I will use ten plant and arthropod species forest species, respectively, sampled across a gradient in management intensity. Following DNA extraction, I will quantify the level of genetic diversity using molecular data derived by double-digest restriction associated DNA (ddRAD) and low-coverage whole-genome sequencing (WGS). As the level of genetic variation might be partially determined by differences in life-history traits, I will correct for three of them in my analyses:
• Level of niche specialization (generalist vs specialist species)
• Dispersal ability (good vs bad dispersing species)
• Reproductive mode (selfing vs outcrossing species, plants only)
In a last step, I will elucidate the relationship between genetic and species diversity through regression analyses.
As my research is embedded in the Biodiversity Exploratories, I can draw from a wealth of information including weather and climate data but also soil and vegetation parameters. With this broad range of existing data at hand, I aim at obtaining a more complete picture of the processes shaping genetic and species diversity.