Publication Details |
| Category | Text Publication |
| Reference Category | Journals |
| DOI | 10.1111/1365-2664.70278 |
Licence  |
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| Title (Primary) | Managing polyploid complexity in grassland restoration: Cytotype differentiation and implications for seed zones |
| Author | Höfner, J.
; Kolář, F.; Müller, C.; Oberprieler, C.; Šemberová, K.; Voltrová, A.; Bucharova, A.; Michalski, C.; Durka, W.
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| Source Titel | Journal of Applied Ecology |
| Year | 2026 |
| Department | BZF |
| Volume | 63 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Page From | e70278 |
| Language | englisch |
| Topic | T5 Future Landscapes |
| Supplements | Supplement 1 |
| Abstract | 1. Regional seed sources are increasingly used in ecological
restoration. Polyploid complexes, i.e. taxa comprising multiple ploidy
levels, are often part of regional seed mixtures, where ploidy levels
are often not distinguished. However, mixing ploidy levels may foster
their hybridisation, severely reduce offspring fitness and disrupt
existing patterns of the geographic distribution of individual ploidy
levels. Furthermore, ploidy levels may represent distinct genetic
lineages. Yet, the exact geographic distribution of the ploidy levels
and their genetic differentiation are rarely known. 2. Here, we focus on six polyploid complexes commonly used for the restoration of species-rich grasslands. We present high-resolution, national-scale geographic distributions of their ploidy levels, test their association with environmental gradients and quantify genetic differentiation between ploidy levels. 3. Ploidy levels within polyploid complexes were more differentiated than seed zones within individual ploidy levels. The abundance, spatial distribution and levels of sympatry versus parapatry of ploidy levels varied widely among polyploid complexes. Nevertheless, the spatial distribution of ploidy levels was always associated with environmental gradients. Mixed-ploidy populations were generally rare. Campanula rotundifolia, Euphorbia cyparissias, and Pimpinella saxifraga showed regional parapatry of ploidy levels, whereas Achillea millefolium agg., Knautia arvensis, and Leucanthemum vulgare agg. showed rather sympatric distribution patterns. Diploid K. arvensis was very rare and potentially non-native to Germany. 4. Using these datasets as case studies, we present a management decision framework for polyploid complexes in seed zone-based grassland restoration, requiring only cytotype distribution data that can be acquired at reasonable cost. The framework recommends four different per-zone management options based on data availability, cytotype presence, distribution, and frequency. 5. Synthesis and applications. Our decision framework enables seed producers and managers to take consistent action on the challenge of polyploid complexes in restoration. Different ploidy levels should not be mixed to avoid fitness losses. Depending on abundance and distribution, either the dominant ploidy level should be prioritised, or multiple ploidy levels need to be managed independently at the seed zone level. |
| Persistent UFZ Identifier | https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=31859 |
| Höfner, J., Kolář, F., Müller, C., Oberprieler, C., Šemberová, K., Voltrová, A., Bucharova, A., Michalski, C., Durka, W. (2026): Managing polyploid complexity in grassland restoration: Cytotype differentiation and implications for seed zones J. Appl. Ecol. 63 (1), e70278 10.1111/1365-2664.70278 |
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