Correction: Genetic diversity and fine-scale spatial genetic structure of unmanaged old-growth versus managed second-growth populations of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) in Lithuania

We tested the hypothesis that old-growth unmanaged (OGU) forests have higher genetic diversity than second-growth managed (SGM) forests and systematic forest tending markedly reduces genetic diversity and alters the fine-scale spatial genetic structure (SGS) of contemporary generation in natural populations, employing Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.). We examined genetic diversity, differentiation and SGS of three OGU and three post-tending natural SGM populations of Scots pine on similar ecosites in different parts of Lithuania by genotyping 890 mature trees at 11 nuclear microsatellite loci. The genetic differentiation between OGU and SGM population groups was not significant. Although OGU populations had higher allelic diversity, effective population size ( N e ) and higher inbreeding coefficient than SGM populations, the differences between OGU and SGM populations were not significant for these parameters. However, we found a significant loss of OGU-specific private rare alleles, copies of rare alleles and genotypic diversity in the SGM populations. OGU populations had significantly stronger SGS and larger neighborhood size than SGM populations. We infer that systematic tending in natural Scots pine forests does not cause a significant reduction in common genetic diversity parameters and reduces SGS by disrupting clusters of relatives. However, it does cause significant loss of rare alleles and genotypic diversity and some genetic differentiation from OGU. We suggest genetic monitoring for genetic diversity conservation and N e maintenance, and developing forest management and gene conservation guidelines for better conservation of rare alleles and genotypic diversity.