Data from: Impacts of selective logging on inbreeding and gene flow in two Amazonian timber species with contrasting ecological and reproductive characteristics

Selective logging in Brazil allows for the removal of up to 90% of trees
above 50 cm diameter of a given timber species, independent of a species’
life history characteristics or how quickly it will recover. The genetic
and demographic effects of selective logging on two Amazonian timber
species (Dipteryx odorata Leguminosae, Jacaranda copaia Bignoniaceae) with
contrasting ecological and reproductive characteristics were assessed in
the same forest. Genetic diversity and gene flow were characterized by
genotyping adults and seed sampled before and after logging, using
hypervariable microsatellite markers. Overall, there were no short term
genetic impacts on the J. copaia population, with commercial application
of current Brazilian forest management regulations. In contrast, for D.
odorata selective logging showed a range of genetic impacts, with a 10%
loss of alleles, and reductions in siring by pollen from trees within the
546 ha study area (23% to 11%) and in the number of pollen donors per
progeny array (2.8 to 1.6), illustrating the importance of the surrounding
landscape. Asynchrony in flowering between D. odorata trees led to trees
with no breeding partners, which could limit the species reproduction and
regeneration under current regulations. The results are summarised with
other published studies from the same site and the implications for forest
management discussed. The different types and levels of impacts associated
with each species support the idea that ecological and genetic information
by species, ecological guild or reproductive group are essential in
helping to derive sustainable logging guidelines for tropical forests.