Tamarindus indica L. patterns of diversity from the genetic to the niche-species level in East Africa

For economically important increasingly threatened species like tamarind is in East Africa proper knowledge and maintenance of diversity existing within their populations and communities is key to attaining sustainability. The objective of our study was to generate knowledge on patterns of diversity from genetic to niche-species level for tamarind in East Africa. We hypothesized that patterns of diversity at these three levels would be similar given possible cross-acting homogeneous spatial-temporal evolutionary factors in East Africa. Results obtained from a spatial-temporal homogeneous study of diversity in tamarind from genetic morphological to niche-tree species levels were synthesized for patterns. A unidirectional pattern across the three levels emerged and we envisage that maintaining this diversity model will help long-term conservation of tamarind and its niche-tree species in East Africa. However further investigations to establish causative factors for the observed unidirectional diversity pattern will be necessary to elucidate the required management strategies.

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