Genetic diversity within natural populations of African Redwood, Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J. F. Gmel, in Ethiopia

Hagenia abyssinica is a dioecious tree species that belongs to a monotypic genus, Hagenia, in the Rosaceae family, and is confined to Africa. In Ethiopia, it inhabits the montane forests, montane woodlands and montane grasslands ranging from 1,850 to 3,700 m. a. s. l. It is one of the best timber species with a remarkable strength and attractive colour for making varieties of furniture. Among the multiple uses of the species, its female inflorescence is used as anthelmintic against tapeworm. H. abyssinica is one of the endangered tree species of Ethiopia due to selective and heavy logging resulting in the fragmentation of the species. In order to conserve the species under the appropriate conservation strategy, it is crucial to examine how genetic variation is distributed over its natural populations in the different geographical regions or Tree Seed Zones. DNA will be isolated from the dried leaves of 21 populations and will be subjected to Chloroplast DNA (PCR-RFLP), Chloroplast Microsatellite (cpSSR) and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) analyses. Selected morphological traits will also be studied. The findings of the present research will contribute to the selection of forest stands for in situ and ex situ conservation, enhancement of breeding materials, and verification of the Tree Seed Zones of Ethiopia.

Members Finkeldey, Reiner (Leiter)
Gailing, Oliver (Mitarbeiter)

Ayele Bekele, T., Gailing, O., Umer, M. & R. Finkeldey. 2009. Chloroplast DNA haplotype diversity and postglacial recolonization of Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F. Gmel in Ethiopia. Plant Systematics and Evolution 280: 175-185.

Ayele Bekele, T., Gailing, O. & R. Finkeldey. 2011. Conservation genetics of Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F. Gmel: a remarkable but gravely endangered tropical tree species. Journal for Nature Conservation 19: 8-17.

Ayele Bekele, T., Gailing, O. & R. Finkeldey. 2017. Spatial distribution of genetic diversity in Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F. Gmel from Ethiopia, assessed by AFLP molecular markers. Annals of Forest Research 60: 47-62.