Genetic Diversity of Romanian Populations of Fagus sylvatica – A Review

Abstract

Genetic diversity is very important to species' evolution in changing environments. The aim of this study is to review the work done on the genetic diversity of Romanian populations of beech, estimated mainly with genetic markers. Only a few studies have been conducted so far on Romanian beech populations. A large-scale cpDNA study revealed that the populations of beech from the Romanian Carpathians have their origin in the Moravian population. Several isolated populations have not been analyzed so far and could bring new data about the evolutionary history of this species. Due to the increase of temperature in south-eastern Romania marginal populations of beech are currently growing under extreme conditions. A comparative study between core and marginal populations could bring new insights into the adaptation of beech to dry conditions.