In order to carry out activities aimed at conservation and rational use of forest resources; it is necessary to study the main forest-forming plant species in detail. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L., Pinaceae) is mainly found in the boreal forests of Eurasia and is not so often encountered in the east of the East European Plain. The aim of the study was to study the genetic diversity, structure and differentiation of Scots pine populations in the east of the East European Plain. We studied ten populations of P. sylvestris using the Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR)-based DNA polymorphism detection method. Natural populations are demonstrated by relatively high rates of genetic diversity (He = 0.167; n_e = 1.279; I = 0.253). At the same time, there is a tendency for a decrease in the genetic diversity of the studied populations of P. sylvestris from west to east. Analysis of the genetic structure shows that the studied populations are highly differentiated (G_ST = 0.439), the intrapopulation component accounts for about 56% of the genetic diversity. Using various algorithms for determining the spatial genetic structure, it is found that the studied populations form two groups of populations in accordance with geographic location. With the help of a genetic originality coefficient, populations with specific and typical gene pools are identified. They are recommended as sources of genetic diversity and reserves for the conservation of genetic resources of the species.

The Ural Mountains and the West Eurasian Taiga forests are one of the most important centers of genetic diversity for Larix sibirica Ledeb. Forest fragmentation negatively impacts forest ecosystems, especially due to the impact of their intensive use on the effects of climate change. For the preservation and rational use of forest genetic resources, it is necessary to carefully investigate the genetic diversity of the main forest-forming plant species. The Larix genus species are among the most widespread woody plants in the world. The Siberian larch (Larix sibirica, Pinaceae) is found in the forest, forest-tundra, tundra (Southern part), and forest-steppe zones of the North, Northeast, and partly East of the European part of Russia and in Western and Eastern Siberia; in the Urals, the Siberian larch is distributed fragmentarily. In this study, eight pairs of simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers were used to analyse the genetic diversity and population structure of 15 Siberian larch populations in the Urals. Natural populations in the Urals exhibit indicators of genetic diversity comparable to those of Siberia populations (expected heterozygosity, He = 0.623; expected number of alleles, Ne = 4017; observed heterozygosity, Ho = 0.461). Genetic structure analysis revealed that the examined populations are relatively highly differentiated (Fst = 0.089). Using various algorithms for determining the spatial genetic structure, the examined populations formed three groups according to geographical location. The data obtained are required for the development of species conservation and restoration programs, which are especially important in the Middle Urals, which is the region with strong forest fragmentation.

Genetic diversity is important for the long-term survival of species and plays a critical role in their conservation. To manifest the adaptive potential, it is necessary to preserve the allelic diversity of populations, including both typical and region-specific alleles. Molecular genetic analysis of 22 populations of Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.; Pinaceae) in 10 subjects of the Russian Federation in the East European Plain and the Middle Urals was carried out. Molecular genetic analysis of 22 populations of P. sylvestris revealed 182 polymorphic PCR fragments. The studied populations are characterized by a medium level of genetic diversity. A high subdivision coefficient (G_ST) of the studied populations was established; the intensity was 0.559. At the same time, the level of subdivision differed for different regions; for the populations from the Middle Urals, it was 15.5% (G_ST = 0.155), and for the populations from the East European Plain, it was 55.8% (G_ST = 0.558). The dendrogram of genetic similarity shows five clusters of the studied populations of P. sylvestris according to their geographical location. The populations from the East European Plain are mostly characterized by typicality, while the populations from the Middle Urals, on the contrary, are more specific in gene pools. The use of the coefficient of genetic originality to identify populations with typical and specific alleles allows for solving the problem of selecting populations for the conservation of forest genetic resources. The data obtained on genetic diversity, and the structure of populations growing in areas of active logging, are important for determining the geographical origin of plant samples, which is an integral part of the control of illegal logging.

The sustainable use and conservation of forest resources must be carried out with a detailed study of the main forest-forming plant species. Coniferous forests form the basis of boreal forest ecosystems and are of great economic importance. Representatives of forest-forming boreal coniferous species are species of the genus Pinus, including Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), which are valuable and widely used woody plant species. The purpose of this research was to conduct an extended study of genetic diversity, genetic structure, and differentiation of P. sibirica and P. sylvestris populations under the conditions of their habitat in the Middle and Northern Urals. We studied twelve populations of two Pinus species using the inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR)-based DNA polymorphism detection PCR method. Populations are characterized by relatively high levels of genetic diversity (P. sylvestris: H_e = 0.163; n_e = 1.270; I = 0.249; P. sibirica: H_e = 0.148; n_e = 1.248; I = 0.225). Analysis of the intrapopulation genetic structure reveals that the studied populations are highly differentiated (P. sylvestris: G_ST = 0.362; P. sibirica: G_ST = 0.460). The interpopulation component comprised 36% and 46% of the total genetic diversity for P. sylvestris and P. sibirica, respectively. Using various algorithms to determine the spatial genetic structure, it was determined that P. sylvestris populations form two groups according to their location at a certain altitude above sea level. P. sibirica populations form two clusters, with an additional subdivision of the two populations into subclusters identified. The data obtained during the study may be useful for further research as well as for conservation management planning and related forestry practices aimed at preserving the genetic resources of valuable forest plant species.

Researched 3 Scots pine populations (Pinus sylvestris L., Pinaceae) and 3 populations of western species of Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb., Pinaceae) in Perm krai for genetic diversity within species detecting. 114 ISSR–PCR P. sylvestris markers and 116 ISSR–PCR L. sibirica markers were amplified. The rate of polymorphic loci expected heterozygosity and number of rare ISSR–PCR markers were identified. Researched species are characterized by high genetic diversity. The rate of polymorphic loci is higher in P. sylvestris; expected heterozygosity and the number of effective alleles is higher in L. sibirica. Each species has populations with high and low genetic diversity parameters. The rare alleles were identified in every of 6 researched populations, but the number ranges from 6 to 13 in P. sylvestris populations and from 3 to 10 in L. sibirica populations. Genetic structure of researched populations analysis show that the interpopulation component of genetic diversity accounts for 30.28% in P. sylvestris and 30.92% in L. sibirica; most of the genetic diversity of P. sylvestris (69, 72%) and L. sibirica (69.08%) is concentrated within populations. Generic markers were found for the genus Pinus and Larix, and species markers for P. sylvestris and L. sibirica. Identification polymorphic markers or their combinations typical for the studied populations of two studied species. The molecular genetic formulas and barcodes of the studied populations are composed. Data on the intraspecific genetic diversity of populations of woody plants of the Perm krai will allow to recommend measures of their conservation, as well as to carry out molecular genetic identification of both natural populations and wood from these populations, which is important for determining the legality of its harvesting.

Establishing sustainable plantations with genetic diversity equivalent to that of natural populations is vital for successful reforestation efforts. In this study, we present an innovative approach for selecting populations suitable for reforestation, taking into account their genetic uniqueness using Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) markers. Our investigation focused on six populations of Picea obovata Ledeb and six populations of Larix sibirica Ledeb, collected from the Northern and Middle Urals. We found that the indicators of genetic diversity were significantly higher in L. sibirica compared to P. obovata, while the number of rare alleles was greater in Siberian spruce (R = 19). Among the P. obovata populations, the Cherdyn’s forestry exhibited notably high genetic diversity, and for L. sibirica, the Gainy’s forestry stood out in this regard. Moreover, the genetic subdivision of the six P. obovata populations (G_ST = 0.331) was higher than that of the six L. sibirica populations (G_ST = 0.177). To ensure optimal seed selection considering the genetic originality coefficient (GOC) and population differentiation, we recommend utilizing the P. obovata population from Gainy’s forestry with a GOC of 0.554 and the L. sibirica population from Cherdyn’s forestry with a GOC of 0.372. These populations harbor typical alleles characteristic of the research region, making them ideal candidates for seed selection. Furthermore, the specific alleles identified can serve as valuable markers for determining the geographic origin of P. obovata and L. sibirica wood, aiding in efforts to trace the sources of these species in forestry and trade practices.