Genetic diversity of postglacial relict shrub Betula nana revealed by RAPD analysis

A sample of Betula nana from the Linie reserve near Dąbrowa Chełmińska, have been fingerprinted using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The high level of genetic variation was detected. All individuals had unique genotypes, supporting the generally high resolving power of RAPD’s. For the conservation strategy, information about the distribution of the genetic variation within and among populations plays very important role. Thus, extensive study in other populations of dwarf birch is needed.