Data from: Wind pollination over 70 years reduces the negative genetic effects of severe forest fragmentation in the tropical oak Quercus bambusifolia

Whether wind pollination in trees can offset the negative genetic
consequences of anthropogenic forest fragmentation is not clearly
established. To answer this question, we examined the demographic genetics
of Quercus bambusifolia over a 70-year recovery period in highly
fragmented forests in Hong Kong. We sampled 1138 individuals from 37
locations, and genetically analysed the chronosequence through the
classification of tree diameters from the same populations using 13
microsatellite markers. Our study reveals that severe fragmentation caused
a significant genetic bottleneck with very few remaining but genetically
diverse individuals. We observed an enhanced genetic diversity during
demographic recovery. We found full-sibs within populations and half-sibs
across the study range. This reflects a limited seed dispersal and
extensive pollen flow. Despite reduced genetic structure both among and
within populations, overall a strong persisting genetic differenti ation
(F’ST = 0.240, P < 0.01) and significant small-scale spatial
genetic structure (F(1) = 0.13, Sp = 0.024, P < 0.01) were
observed. Existing bottlenecks and low effective population sizes within
the temporal chronosequence suggest that the long-term effect of severe
fragmentation cannot be entirely eliminated by wind pollination with
demographic recovery in the absence of effective seed dispersal. Our
results lead to recommendations for forest management.