GENETIC DIVERSITY AND DIFFERENTIATION OF BEECH POPULATIONS (FAGUS-SYLVATICA L) IN WESTERN UKRAINE

Two sets of European beech populations from the western Ukraine, consi sting of eight and twelve populations, were analyzed using thirteen an d twelve isozyme loci, respectively. Nine loci were common for both po pulation sets. No differences between geographical regions were found in observed and expected heterozygosities. However, a tendency toward an increase in heterozygosities along the altitudinal gradient was obs erved. The mean number of alleles is slightly lower in populations on the upper limit of the distribution range.