Sayed Jalal Moosavi

Research interests

·         Forest genetics

·         Population dynamics

·         Conservation genetics

·         Forest ecosystem services

·         Ecology of rare tree species

·         Impact of human activities on genetic diversity

Education

·         PhD candidate at the department of Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany, since 2019

·         M.Sc. in Agricultural Biotechnology, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran, 2016

·         B.Sc. in Agronomy, Kabul University, Kabul, Afghanistan, 2010

Current projects

Effect of fragmentation and low density on gene flow and genetic diversity in two conifer species, the near threatened species Pinus gerardiana in Gardiz, Afghanistan, and the endangered species Taxus baccata in Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany

Projects description

For my first project, I conducted a study on the near-threatened Chilgoza pine (Pinus gerardiana) in Gardiz, Afghanistan. Our research aimed to address the lack of genetic information on this economically vital species, which faces threats due to overexploitation. Using microsatellite markers, specifically eight polymorphic EST-SSRs, we conducted, for the first time, an in-depth analysis of the genetic variability and structure of the Chilgoza population in Gardiz.

In my second project, the focus shifted to Taxus baccata, where we aimed to unravel the genetic diversity and fine-scale spatial genetic structure of this species. T. baccata, commonly known as the European yew, holds ecological significance and is economically valuable for its medicinal properties. Using 13 microsatellite markers, we conducted a comprehensive analysis, examining adult trees and natural regenerations in a natural population under different management levels.

Publication

Moosavi SJ, Budde K, Mueller M, Gailing O (2022) Genetic diversity and fine-scale spatial genetic structure of the near-threatened Pinus gerardiana in Gardiz, Afghanistan. Plant Ecology and Evolution 155(3): 363-378. https://doi.org/10.5091/plecevo.95754