Combined definition of seed transfer guidelines for ecological restoration in the French Pyrenees

Question: Can genetic tools combined with phytogeography help to define local plants and how geographically close the source population should be to the restoration site? Location: Subalpine and alpine French Pyrenees. Methods: The main phytogeographic boundaries in the French Pyrenees described by different authors were studied and this geographic pattern was compared with the results of genetic analysis for the four Pyrenean plants studied (Trifolium alpinum, Festuca eskia, Festuca gautieri and Rumex scutatus), based on random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker analysis, unweighted pair‐group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) analysis and Mantel correlograms comparing geographic and genetic distances. Results: The genetic analysis allowed definition of two main evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) for the plants under study. Although the limit between the two zones was slightly variable according to the species considered, an eastern and a western ESU was consistently observed. This delineation was concordant with the main phytogeographic boundaries of the French Pyrenees. Conclusion: RAPD markers and associated Mantel correlograms can be useful to draw ESUs for individual species when the sampling intensity is relatively dense, and similarities were revealed between species sharing the same distribution range. This delineation allowed integration of infraspecific plant variation in the management of natural resources for revegetation in the Pyrenees. Nevertheless, caution is needed for the establishment of seed pools in order to maximize genetic diversity in each of the pools during collection and production.