Genetic diversity studies and ex-situ conservation methods of ...

Genetic diversity studies and
ex-situ conservation methods
of Sorbus torminalis L.
(Crantz.) in Poland
Małgorzata Sułkowska

Introduction
Sorbus torminalis reaches maximum
height within 100 years. The trees are
typically 20 – 25 m in height with
trunks of up to 100 cm diameter. The
species is polinated by general
pollinators like social bees and beetles.
The fruits are dispersed by birds and
by mammals (foxes, martens). The tree
can be easily maintained by planting
or grafting.

Introduction
Wild service tree is strictly protected and threatened
species. It is typical for mixed hardwood forests.
It is a light demanding species.
Wild service tree favors deep fertile soils, but can
tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, from chalky,
superficial, dry soils to temporarily waterlogged soils.

Distribution range of wild service tree
Browicz K., Gostyńska-Jakuszewska M. 1966. Atlas rozmieszczenia drzew i krzewów w Polsce. Zeszyt 5.
Edit. St. Białobok, Z. Czubiński. Zakład Dendrologii i Arboretum Kórnickie Polskiej Akademii Nauk.

Biology and ecology
Sorbus torminalis can hybridize with two other species: white
bean (S. aria) and mountain ash (S.aucuparia). Hybridization
with white bean commonly occurs as S.torminalis (father) to S.
aria (mother). It is rarely followed by cytoplasmic introgression.
As a consequence, this geneflow should not significantly affect
the diversity dynamics within wild service tree.

Importance and use
Wood of the wild service tree is very dense and has good bending
strength. It was used in the past to make screws for winepresses,
billiard queue sticks and musical instruments. Today, it is usually
used for decorative veneers. The species is favoured by hunters,
because its fruits are well appreciated by many birds and a few
mammals. The fruits are also used to produce liquors, especially
in Germany and Austria. In Poland, this species is almost not used
due to lack of supply.

Recommendations for conservation of genetic resources
jarzębu
brekinii developed in the work EUFORGENU
(Demesure
1996, Rotach 1999) include:
• identification and protection of natural populations,
• introduction of the species in groups and creating optimal conditions
for growth by increasing access of light and reduce competition from
other species,
• initiation of natural regeneration and establishment of crops,
• development of procedures for storing of seeds and their stratification,
ication,
• selection of material for wide use - through the selection and use of
individual trees
• increase awareness of foresters, regarding the needs conservation of
the species.

The recommendations prepared
Tarnawski (2001) for Polish conditions:
• Creating of bio-groups of wild service trees or single
individuals,
• increasing access of light by the removal of trees heavily
shading,
• protection against grazing for natural regeneration,
• enlarging the area of the species through planting,
• instructing of forest workers and forest service
companies for the purpose and need of the species
protection and its characteristics.

Forest Practise
• A lot of big work in small scale in different forest
division esspecialy in North Poland (Wejherowo(
Wejherowo,
Goraj, Zielonagora, Osie, Jamy)
• Arboretum in Syców – 80 000 of seedlings from
one Piaski population were introduced in Norh
and West Poland
• In Wejherowo probably 2 000 tseedlings from 2
trees were planted in the forests of North Poland

Aim of the project BLP-334
is to identify genetic variability and population
differentiation of wild service tree in Poland using
molecular markers. The results of studies will the
basis to elaborate program to protect the genetic
resources of the species and a determination of the
possibilities and principles of its plantations
growing under natural conditions in Poland.

State of the art
1. Tuchola, 2. Osie, 3. Opalenie, 4. Jamy, 5. Zielonagóra,
6. Goraj, 7. Gryfino, 8. Bielinek, 9. Bytyń,
10. Wielkopolski PN, 11. Promno, 12. Koło, 13. Potarzyca,
14. Taczanów, 15. Piaski, 16. Legnica, 17. Jawor,
18. Złotoryja, 19. Strzelce, 20. Białowódzka Góra
• BEDNORZ L. (2004): Rozmieszczenie i zasoby Sorbus torminalis (Rosaceae:
Maloideae) w Polsce. Fragm. Flor. Geobot. Polonica 11: 105-121
121
• BEDNORZ L., MYCZKO Ł., KOSIŃSKI SKI P. (2004): Isozyme polymorphism and
genetic structure of the population of Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz from the Bytyń
Forest (Poland). J. Appl. Genet. 45, 3: 321-324
324
• BEDNORZ L. (2007): Conservation of genetic resources of Sorbus torminalis in
Poland. Dendrobiology 58: 3-73

State of the art
Until now we do not have plantations of
Sorbus torminalis in Poland. Starting
such studies give the possibility of
cultivation should be precede the
breeding of sufficient quantities of
seedlings that are the offspring of the best
trees in terms of increment and
qualitative characteristics. Plantations
can form of ex-situ preservation measure
for wild service tree in Poland.

Sorbus torminalis geographic
localisation of populations and
their genetic distances (Nei 78) on
the base of DNA nuclear
microsatelite markers
Localisation
Natural range
0.6163 0.3526 0.3278 0.2126 0
Populacja Kod
kolorów:
1. Tuchola
3. Opalenie
4. Jamy
2. Osie
5. Zielonagóra
13. Potarzyca
14. Taczanów
15. Piaski
17. Jawor
18. Złotoryja
19. Strzelce
20. Białowódzka Góra
6. Goraj
7. Gryfino
9. Bytyń
11. Promno
12. Koło
10. Wielkopolski PN
8. Bielinek
16. Legnica

Geographic localisation of populations
and their genetic distances (Nei 78) on the
base of PCR-RFLP DNA chloroplast
markers
1. Tuchola
2. Osie
4. Jamy
7. Gryfino
8. Bielinek
11. Promno
12. Koło
13. Potarzyca
14. Taczanów
15. Piaski
18. Złotoryja
6. Goraj
16. Legnica
20. Białowódzka Góra
3. Opalenie
19. Strzelce
5. Zielonagóra
9. Bytyń
10. Wielkopolski PN
17. Jawor

Genetic knowledge other studies
‣Investigations of the population genetics of wild service
tree are based on surveys with neutral genetic markers.
‣The level of differentiation between populations was low
compared to other European scattered broadleaves. On a
regional scale, no phylogeo-graphic structure was found.
‣Chloroplast DNA studies on a European scale showed a
weak phylogeographic structure,
‣ Intensive seed movement could have blurred a preexisting
phylogeographic structure.

Threats to genetic diversity
The main causes contributing to the endangerment of
the species are:
•narrow genetic seed basis effective population sizes
•the species is particularly threatened by habitat
fragmentation and lack of natural regeneration,
• competition with other species,
• inadequate silvicultural management – the species
should be released at each logging intervention,
• uncontrolled seed transfer

Genetic conservation and use
Identification and protection of the
most valuable natural stands in-situ is
the most crucial for conservation of
gene resources of the species and
preservation of its adaptive possibilities.
For now, it is not possible to indicate a
critical population size below which the
populations would be threatened.
The identification of natural „enemies”
like pathogenic fungies is also very
important.

Guidelines for genetic conservation and use
Conservation efforts need to be
focused on common forestry
management oriented in favour
of each single tree:
competition from neighbouring
trees must be controlled,
the seed trees of the
neighbouring compartments will
also contribute to regeneration,
it is important to ensure a
regular distribution of wild
service tree even with small
clusters or single individuals.

Guidelines for genetic conservation and use
When it is not possible to apply in situ conservation, or
measures for seed supply, ex situ conservation must be
considered:
the seeds must be collected from many trees with a
distance of more than 200 m between them, to enlarge
the genetic basis and to avoid relatedness,
planting conditions must be carefully controlled,
the strategy could be combined with ecological
engineering techniques used in environmental
restoration projects and establishment of seed banks.

Thank You
very much
for Your
attention!
Białowódzka Góra Reserve (Pieniny Mts.)