caa a22 4500 445893869 CHVBK 20180317145625.0 cr unu---uuuuu 170323e20110501xx s 000 0 eng 10.1007/s10750-011-0608-5 doi (NATIONALLICENCE)springer-10.1007/s10750-011-0608-5 Genetic diversity and differentiation of fragmented reedbeds ( Phragmites australis ) in the United Kingdom [Elektronische Daten] [Jennifer Paul, Heather Kirk, Joanna Freeland] Reedbeds, which are dominated by the common reed Phragmites australis, provide one of the most important aquatic habitats in the United Kingdom, and have been identified as a priority habitat under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Ongoing conservation and management of reedbeds is necessary because past eradication and fragmentation have been extensive. However, there has been little consideration of the potential long-term effects that may arise if processes such as founder effects during restoration projects, or genetic bottlenecks following harvesting, are leading to reductions in genetic diversity. In this study, we used microsatellite data to compare the genetic diversity of 19 P.australis stands in the UK, and found that neither size, management, nor habitat disturbance were affecting genetic diversity. Mixed reproduction (clonal and sexual), possibly combined with gene flow across relatively small spatial scales, appears to be maintaining genetic diversity within most stands. However, most stands were highly genetically differentiated from one another, which implies low gene flow. Long-term genetic diversity in managed stands may therefore require periodic bolstering from other populations, combined with the simultaneous cultivation of multiple generations. In addition, low gene flow suggests that managers should actively introduce plants into all areas in which reedbeds are desired. In conclusion, our study shows that reedbed restoration and maintenance do not seem to be adversely affecting the population genetics of P.australis, but the importance of genetic diversity should be factored into long-term projects. Springer Science+Business Media B.V., 2011 Phragmites australis nationallicence Reedbeds nationallicence Genetic diversity nationallicence Gene flow nationallicence Habitat fragmentation nationallicence Paul Jennifer Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, K9J 7B8, Peterborough, ON, Canada aut Kirk Heather Department of Biology, Trent University, K9J 7B8, Peterborough, ON, Canada aut Freeland Joanna Department of Biology, Trent University, K9J 7B8, Peterborough, ON, Canada aut Hydrobiologia Springer Netherlands 665/1(2011-05-01), 107-115 0018-8158 665:1<107 2011 665 10750 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-0608-5 text/html Onlinezugriff via DOI 1 research-article jats NATIONALLICENCE 856 40 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-0608-5 text/html Onlinezugriff via DOI NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Paul Jennifer Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, K9J 7B8, Peterborough, ON, Canada aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Kirk Heather Department of Biology, Trent University, K9J 7B8, Peterborough, ON, Canada aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Freeland Joanna Department of Biology, Trent University, K9J 7B8, Peterborough, ON, Canada aut NATIONALLICENCE 773 0- Hydrobiologia Springer Netherlands 665/1(2011-05-01), 107-115 0018-8158 665:1<107 2011 665 10750 Metadata rights reserved Springer special CC-BY-NC licence nationallicence BK010053 XK010053 XK010000 NATIONALLICENCE NATIONALLICENCE NL-springer