The maintenance of genetic diversity and structure, and the evolutionary potential of populations, is crucial in any conservation project. Genetic criteria serve as support for actions to improve dune habitats by LIFE INSULAR. Conservation is a priority for species characteristic of natural habitats in populations with high genetic variability, greater census and connectivity in more stable environmental conditions. In smaller and more isolated populations, with greater population kinship, reinforcement actions from genetically similar nearby populations can be considered.
To implement actions to improve the occupation and recruitment area, it is important to take into account the genetic pool of the donor and recipient populations involved. Summarizing the genetic diversity protected in ex situ conservation collections has implications for their management to improve connectivity, minimizing the risk of hybridization with genetically differentiated populations.
In this way, LIFE INSULAR is carrying out an evaluation of the genetic resources of the dune species that are going to be used in the restoration actions of the LIFE INSULAR project (Daphne gnidium, Ammophila arenaria), valuing both the insular (Cíes, Ons, Sálvora) and the nearest continental populations. This analysis will provide valuable information and criteria as a basis to guide both in situ and ex situ conservation actions.
