Origin of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) from Osusznica Forest District revealed by cytoplasmic DNA markers - refugium of Sudety fir in Pomerania?

Abstract

Genetic markers in mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA were analysed to determine the native status and possibly trace the origin of the silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) growing outside this species natural range in Osusznica Forest District (northern Poland). The provenance of the extralimital populations were determined through comparison with reference samples from the native range of silver fir in Poland and Ukraine. Our results suggest that the Sudety Mts. are the most probable region of the origin of fir from Osusznica. It also seems that the plus seed stands in Osusznica can be treated as a valuable archive of the genetic resources of the fir from the Sudety and, if necessary, may support program of this species restitution