Copper resistance and genetic diversity in Lychnis alpina (Caryophyllaceae) populations on mining sites

Copper mine populations of Lychnis alpina are shown to be significantly mor e resistant to increased copper concentrations compared to populations on n ormal soils. Data obtained from isozyme polymorphism analysis revealed that although the copper populations display considerable variation, they have lower genetic variability than the populations from normal soils, both on a local and a global scale, thus indicating a slight founder effect. Copper ecotypes in L. alpina have originated independently. The results are simila r to what recently have been reported in heavy metal tolerant populations o f Armeria maritima.