Species integrity and spatial genetic structures of the European crab apple (Malus sylvestris (L.) MILL.)

摘要

Conservation strategies for the indigenous European crab apple [Malus sylvestris (L.) MILL], one of the forest botanical rarities in Europe, should imply ecological as well as genetic aspects. The decline of suitable habitats and the resulting reproductive isolation of relict stands imply the risk of extinction of the few remaining populations. In addition, low population sizes in combination with genetic introgression from apple cultivars involve the danger of losing wild type adaptive potential.