Genetic diversity of black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) in natural and reforested areas of Salamanca Island Parkway, Colombian Caribbean

The species Avicennia germinans in natural and reforested areas was analyzed to obtain information about its genetic diversity in a highly disturbed mangrove ecosystem and to generate a useful tool for determining the donor and receptor populations of propagules. Tissue of 149 individuals was collected in the protected areas of the Tayrona National Natural Park (Tayrona-NNP) and the Salamanca Island Parkway (Salamanca-IP). A total of 38 alleles were found in seven microsatellite loci, leading to the detection of high levels of heterozygosity in the two protected areas. The impact of the highway on the Salamanca-IP-south population was shown when the inbreeding coefficient from younger individuals was compared with older ones; inbreeding increased 4.2 times. The inbreeding coefficient in the reforested area was 2.2 times higher than that in the Salamanca-IP-south zone. Thus, for future reforestations in this area, the collecting of propagules should come from two sectors-one to the north of the highway including Tayrona-NNP and the other to the south. Finally, we consider that the viability of the reforested population in the short and medium term would be improved if good reforestation practices are implemented for A. germinans.