The ecology and genetics of central and peripheral populations of carduus defloratus

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Diethart Matthies
• Subject Area: Ecology and Biodiversity of Plants and Ecosystems
• Term: from 2008 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 101517765

Many plant species reach the limit of their distribution in Germany. Biogeographical models predict that peripheral populations have a lower density, different dynamics and a lower genetic diversity than populations in the centre of the distribution. The aim of this project is to test several of these predictions by comparing central and peripheral populations of the model species Carduus defloratus. In contrast to earlier studies, we will investigate patterns of genetic variation in both quantitative and molecular genetic traits to analyse the importance of genetic drift and selection for population differentiation. These studies will be large-scale and cover the whole distributional range of the species in Central Europe. The studies will be combined with investigations of plant performance under standard conditions, of the population structure and demography of the species, analyses of the breeding system and experimental studies of the sensitivity to inbreeding. Altogether, the studies will contribute to a better understanding of the role of current and historic, and of demographic and genetic processes for the differentiation between central and peripheral populations. They will also provide information about the conservation value of peripheral populations in a time of climatic change.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants