[PCA] Special Issue: Quercus Genetics: Insights into the Past, Present, and Future of Oaks (Open Access)

[Randall, Johnny]

Greetings: Speaking of Quercus - this year's Darwin Day talk at the North Carolina Botanical Garden on February 12 (7:00pm) will feature oak expert, Paul Manos, from Duke University entitled: Quercus Circus: The Biodiversity and Ecological Value of Oaks.

Like oaks - this will be a hybrid event - so you will be able to register and tune-in from afar. See https://ncbg.unc.edu/event/hybrid-darwin-day-lecture-quercus-circus-the-biodiversity-and-ecological-value-of-oaks/

Johnny Randall

Johnny Randall, PhD
Director of Conservation
North Carolina Botanical Garden
CB 3375
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill NC 27599
www.ncbg.unc.edu<http://www.ncbg.unc.edu>
Cell - 919-923-0100
Office - 919-962-2380


From: native-plants <native-plants-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org> On Behalf Of Park, Margaret E
Sent: Monday, January 31, 2022 11:34 AM
To: Forest Ecology Working Group <forestecology at lists.fws.gov>; PCA Listserve <native-plants at lists.plantconservation.org>
Subject: [PCA] Special Issue: Quercus Genetics: Insights into the Past, Present, and Future of Oaks (Open Access)

My apologies if this has already been shared.

Mary Ashley and Janet R. Backs, Forests, November 2021

Summary:
The genus Quercus (Quercus, Fagaceae) comprises more than 400 species distributed throughout the northern hemisphere. While the highest oak diversity occurs in American and Asia, European species are also widespread. Oaks are ecological dominants of many temperate forests, and evergreen species are major components of Mediterranean and subtropical woodlands. They provide important ecosystem services and valuable timber. Oak species exhibit high genetic diversity, and this diversity has provided a wealth of information regarding oak ecology and evolution. Recent genetic and genomic studies of oaks have unraveled their evolutionary origins, history, and past radiations. Genetic approaches have also been applied to learn about more recent events, such as range expansions and contractions occurring at northern latitudes.
Interest in hybridization between oaks species dates back at least as far as Darwin, and genetic tools have provided new insight into rates and patterns of hybridization, underlying ecological factors, and evolutionary consequences of genetic introgression. Further, we can now ask what genes or genomic regions are responsible for maintaining species barriers in oaks in the face of gene flow.
Genetic studies have also demonstrated widespread, long-distance pollen movement in oaks. Despite such extensive gene flow, evidence for divergent selection and local adaption has also emerged. The genes and genetic architecture underlying adaptive traits such as drought-tolerance and phenology may help us to make predictions regarding oak response to abiotic stress. Finally, many species of oaks are threatened by habitat loss and climate change, and understanding the genetic diversity and structure of these declining species is key for successful protection and recovery. This Special Issue focuses on what recent genetic studies have revealed about adaptation in oaks, their susceptibility to climate and other environmental stresses, and implications for management of both widespread and restricted species.

Link to special issue: https://www.mdpi.com/books/pdfview/book/4836
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