Populationsgeschichte und Managementprinzipien in Schweizer Wildbirnenvorkommen | Population history and management principles in Swiss Wild Pear populations

Genetic studies show that genetic diversity is positively correlated with population size: however, this correlation has not been found in Swiss populations of Wild Pear. The present investigation implies that the diverse historical human uses of Wild Pear populations offer an explanation for this lack of correlation. Current populations of Wild Pear are located in sparse and structured forests, often characterized by a meadow-like herb layer. For the conservation and augmentation of the mostly small Wild Pear populations, the principle of dominance reduction can be applied. It leads to a variety of light conditions within woodlands and imitates the currently abandoned historical forest uses.