Molecular phylogeography, intraspecific variation and the conservation of tree species

Tree species are becoming the focus of increasing conservation concern, with some 9000 species now threatened globally. Studies of intraspecific variation can contribute to the development of conservation strategies, by identifying appropriate units for conservation. The recent application of molecular techniques to a variety of tree species has highlighted a far higher degree of population differentiation than indicated by previous isozyme analyses, a result consistent with theoretical predictions. Analysis of the geographic distribution of cpDNA lineages has also enabled current patterns of population differentiation to be related to postglacial migration routes from different forest refugia. Such results highlight the importance of refugial areas for conservation of intraspecific variation in tree species.