The Genetic Identity of the Rare Betula uber
A population genetic study was conducted evaluating the variance between three species of the Birch (Betulaceae). An investigation was made into the species’ B. uber (Virginia Round Leaf), B. alleghaniensis (Yellow Birch), and B. lenta (Sweet Birch) using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP). All three species grow naturally in the Smyth County region of Virginia. In the 1980’s, the conservationist described B.uber as a morphologically distinct species of Birch trees and that need to be legally protected. Betula uber has been on the endangered species list since it’s rediscovery in 1975 when only 40 trees were found in the Cressy Creek area. It still remains under the protection of conservation today. The individuals in this study were sampled from Cressy Creek, with 5 different population sites of B. uber, number of individuals ranging n=10 to n=5. Samples of B.lenta and B.alleghaniensis were also taken from Cressy Creek, Hidden Valley, Straight Branch, Commerce Road, and Middle Creek n ranging from 10 to 5. Enough samples were collected to fill a 96 well plate for the fragment analysis. The aim of this project is to help elucidate the relationship of Betula uber to the other two closely related Birches used in this study. There are no major conclusions yet; we hope this investigation will add to our knowledge, then we can inform the land managers about appropriate resource allocations and management plans. Due to lack of funding in the department if left unprotected this species of tree could go extinct.