• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.257-261
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• 2004

Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii Henry is a short and creeping evergreen shrub which reaches about 50㎝ in height and occurs in the northeast Asia and in high mountains over the South Korea. Its distribution is restricted, and the number of individuals are gradually decreasing. This study was conducted to estimate spatial pattern, genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure of J. chinensis var. sargentii. A total of 131 clumps were studied in the study area (40m × 60m). The spatial pattern of this population was random (Aggregation index R=1.031). In spite of the small number and the limited distribution, the level of genetic diversity (Shannon's index 1=0.463) was relatively high as compared with those of other plant species with similar ecological characteristics. ISSR genotypes of all individuals were investigated to find the genetic relationship of clumps and genets. Fifteen clumps were composed to be clones, and a total of 116 unique genotypes were composed by separate genets. Spatial autocorrelation analysis using Tanimoto distance showed that the genetic patch was established within 8m. The effect of clonal reproduction on genetic structure was almost nothing.