Impact of selective logging on the population dynamics and genetic diversity in the neotropical timber tree Dicorynia guianensis
Abstract
Selective logging is a widely applied forest management strategy in the tropics, yet it is insufficiently documented how it affects the genetic and demographic processes of seedling recruitment in timber species in the Guiana Shield. Our study investigates how selective logging influences genetic diversity, gene dispersal, and seedling establishment in Dicorynia guianensis by comparing a logged and an unlogged forest plot in French Guiana. We genotyped 703 individuals using 66 nuclear SSR markers and applied parentage analyses to infer dispersal patterns and reproductive success. We analysed genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure across life stages, and tested whether seedling recruitment was associated with logging-related canopy openings. Genetic diversity indices were broadly similar between logged and unlogged plots, with no evidence of genetic erosion in adults or seedlings. Seedling establishment was associated with logginginduced canopy openings. Parentage analyses revealed shorter mean dispersal distances in the logged plot but substantial long-distance pollen flow, ensuring admixture and interplot connectivity. Reproductive success was more evenly distributed among mothers, whereas male contributions were skewed in the logged plot. Selective logging did not cause immediate genetic erosion but altered dispersal dynamics and reproductive patterns. These findings underline the resilience of D. guianensis under current management practices, while emphasizing the need for long-term monitoring of regeneration to ensure sustainable recruitment and evolutionary resilience across logging cycles.
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BibTeX
@article{bonnier2026impact,
title = {{Impact of selective logging on the population dynamics and genetic diversity in the neotropical timber tree Dicorynia guianensis}},
author = {Julien Bonnier and Stephane Traissac and Olivier Brunaux and Valerie Troispoux and Niklas Tysklind and Myriam Heuertz},
journal = {Peer Community Journal},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.24072/pcjournal.779},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05853732v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Impact of selective logging on the population dynamics and genetic diversity in the neotropical timber tree Dicorynia guianensis
AU - Julien Bonnier
AU - Stephane Traissac
AU - Olivier Brunaux
AU - Valerie Troispoux
AU - Niklas Tysklind
AU - Myriam Heuertz
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/11
JO - Peer Community Journal
DO - 10.24072/pcjournal.779
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05853732v1
AB - Selective logging is a widely applied forest management strategy in the tropics, yet it is insufficiently documented how it affects the genetic and demographic processes of seedling recruitment in timber species in the Guiana Shield. Our study investigates how selective logging influences genetic diversity, gene dispersal, and seedling establishment in Dicorynia guianensis by comparing a logged and an unlogged forest plot in French Guiana. We genotyped 703 individuals using 66 nuclear SSR markers and applied parentage analyses to infer dispersal patterns and reproductive success. We analysed genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure across life stages, and tested whether seedling recruitment was associated with logging-related canopy openings. Genetic diversity indices were broadly similar between logged and unlogged plots, with no evidence of genetic erosion in adults or seedlings. Seedling establishment was associated with logginginduced canopy openings. Parentage analyses revealed shorter mean dispersal distances in the logged plot but substantial long-distance pollen flow, ensuring admixture and interplot connectivity. Reproductive success was more evenly distributed among mothers, whereas male contributions were skewed in the logged plot. Selective logging did not cause immediate genetic erosion but altered dispersal dynamics and reproductive patterns. These findings underline the resilience of D. guianensis under current management practices, while emphasizing the need for long-term monitoring of regeneration to ensure sustainable recruitment and evolutionary resilience across logging cycles.
SN - 2804-3871
SN - 2804-3871
ER -