• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.345-350
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• 2004

The present study was investigated microgeographic variations to spatial autocorrelation in the Korean alder, Alnus hirsuta. Separate counts of each type of join (combination of genotypes at a single locus) for each allele, and for each distance class of separation, were tested for significant deviation from random expectations by calculating the Standard Normal Deviation (SND). Moran's I was significantly different from the expected value in 24 of 120 cases (20.0%). 17 of these values (14.2%) were significantly negative, indicating genetic dissimilarity among pairs of individuals in the ten distance classes. Many Korean populations of alder are small and are distributed by men for firewood. This occasional cutting of seed-bearing stems may bring a high level of gene flow. In addition, stump sprouting ability also may contribute to the fact that the Chengkwang population at Gijang is unusual in lacking spatial genetic structure.