Harnessing herbaria to assess geographic extent and genetic consequences of habitat loss
METADATA ONLY
Loading...
Author / Producer
Date
2022-09
Publication Type
Other Conference Item
ETH Bibliography
yes
Citations
Altmetric
METADATA ONLY
Data
Rights / License
Abstract
Genetic diversity is one of three levels of biodiversity and the raw material for evolution to act on. Population size reduction via loss of habitat and connectivity can lead to loss of neutral and adaptive genetic diversity. The Hare’s tail cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum) is strongly associated with peat bogs and has undergone major habitat loss in Switzerland, especially in the Central Plateau, over the last two centuries as a consequence of wetland drainage and peat extraction. Assessing herbarium-based georeferencing data and observation records indicates a reduced occurrence of E. vaginatum, especially under relatively warm and dry climates. This raises the question of whether habitat loss has caused a reduction in genetic diversity in general and of variants adaptive under warm conditions in particular. We selected 226 herbarium specimens, collected between 1804 and 1949, from seven Swiss herbaria for whole genome re-sequencing. Where possible, we additionally collected contemporary samples from the same or a nearby location. By comparing the genetic diversity of historical and contemporary samples, we will examine whether an overall loss of genetic diversity has occurred in E. vaginatum across Switzerland. We will assess historical genotype-climate associations in order to test whether genetic variants associated with warm climatic conditions occur at reduced frequency in the contemporary gene pool. With this project, which is part of a pilot study for monitoring genetic diversity in Switzerland, we hope to contribute to a better understanding of the genomic consequences of habitat loss by making use of specimens and metadata stored in herbaria.
Permanent link
Publication status
published
External links
Editor
Book title
400 Years Botanical Collections - Implications for Present-Day Research. International Symposium in Honour of Caspar Bauhin (1560–1624)
Journal / series
Volume
Pages / Article No.
29 - 29
Publisher
Herbaria Basel, Departement of Environmental Sciences, Basel University
Event
400 Years Botanical Collections - Implications for Present-Day Research. International Symposium in Honour of Caspar Bauhin (1560–1624) (Bauhin 2022)
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
historical DNA; ancient DNA; Herbarium specimens; Peat bogs; wetlands; genetic diversity
Organisational unit
03706 - Widmer, Alexander / Widmer, Alexander
08670 - Gruppe Biosystematik und Sammlungen
Notes
Conference lecture held on September 16, 2022.