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Landscape Genetics of Pacific Northwest Forest Taxa
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Understanding the cumulative effects of various forest practices on multiple groups of organisms may have profound implications on how land managers view the status of Pacific Northwest forests. A promising approach for filling this information gap is to link molecular genetics and Geographic Information System analysis, an emerging field known as "landscape genetics." While molecular genetic markers are excellent tools for defining populations and characterizing connectivity among populations, it is not economically or logistically feasible to collect genetic data for all species of conservation or management concern. However, it is helpful to characterize how landscape features, regardless of their origin, affect the distribution and connectivity among populations of representative groups of animals, plants, and fungi. Comparing current and past population structure with current and past land use practices may help determine how human activities affect the survival of forest species.
Haig, Susan M. - Supervisory Research Wildlife Biologist
Phone: 541-750-7482
Email: susan_haig@usgs.gov
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