Yael Rodger, Gidon Winters and Shirli Bar-David

Population genetic analyses of species provide insights into genetic structure and diversity, which is a main component of biodiversity. Genetic diversity is considered to be of great importance for possible adaptation to environmental changes and therefore long-term survival of a species. The three native species of acacia trees in Israel (A. raddianna, A. tortilis, A. pachyceras) are considered keystone species in the hyper-arid desert environment, performing several important ecological services. Consequently, the ongoing high mortality and large-scale drying of these trees is of great concern for the region. The main causes associated with mortality are anthropogenic and climatic; road-building activities and depletion of water aquifers for agriculture, as well as recent declines in precipitation levels.

 

In order for effective spatial management of these populations, an understanding of the genetic diversity and connectivity of acacia populations is necessary. The main objective of my study is to evaluate the genetic diversity and structure of Acacia tortilis across its range of distribution along the Arava valley in Israel and Jordan and to identify hotspots of genetic diversity. In particular, I aim to a) quantify the levels of genetic diversity existing among and within the subpopulations of A. tortilis; b) determine the level of genetic connectivity between the subpopulations and to attribute these findings to natural and anthropogenic phenomena occurring across their distribution; c) identify subpopulations or locations with high genetic diversity ('hotspots') to prioritize conservation and management.