SSR Markers: In Assessment of Genetic Diversity for Forest Management

Forest management aims at the sustainable provision of multiple goods and services from forests. Study of genetic diversity is important for tree breeding and improvement programs of tree species as without genetic diversity, evolution is impossible. Without adaptation, population size eventually declines, which can result in local extinction .There are different types of DNA markers to study the Genetic diversity at molecular level. Among them simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers are an excellent markers in diversity assessment as these are highly variable in genome, co-dominant, abundant, highly reproducible ,highly polymorphic and easy to assay . The genetic diversity of tree species which modify tree density and age class structure, at different stages during a forest stand rotation, can have strong effects on genetic diversity, connectivity and effective population size. This paper reviews how genetic diversity of tree species may affect on the functioning of forest ecosystem and management.