Spatial genetic structure within three sugar maple (Acer saccharum marsh.) stands

Abstract

Approximately 100 trees were sampled and mapped in each of three natural Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) stands in northwestern Ontario. Starch-gel electrophoresis was used to resolve five polymorphic enzyme loci from bud tissue and spatial genetic structure was examined in each of the three stands using spatial autocorrelation techniques. A significant small scale genetic structure was detected in all stands and patch widths were inferred to be approximately 20-30 m. A nonrandom distribution of genotypes may be a reflection of restricted gene flow, selection and/or patchy establishment of genetically distinct cohorts. © 1991 The Genetical Society of Great Britain.