An Assessment of Juniperus communis (Juniper) Sub-species Hemisphaerica in Britain using Molecular Markers

This dataset contains the results of genetic analysis aimed at ascertaining the distinction of subspecies of Juniper comminis (juniper) a morphologically variable dioecious species native to the British Isle. Within Britain the extremes of this variation are recognised by two sub-species ssp. communis and ssp. nana but many intermediate forms are known and two further sub-species are also recognised by some- ssp. depressa and ssp. hemisphaerica. It has been suggested that these sub-species should be considered as varieties of J. communis, however because of the rarity of the ssp. hemisphaerica in Britain further clarification of its taxonomic status was desirable. The ssp. hemisphaerica, while found in mountainous areas of southern Europe and north-west Africa, is confined to two main small populations on low maritime cliffs in the UK. Other population, also consisting of less than 10 individuals, is found on Ramsay Island on the Pembrokeshire coast, south Wales. In addition, 4 other individuals from Wales have been considered to show morphological characters that are indicative of ssp. hemisphaerica, the populations being at Skrinkle Haven (Pembrokeshire) and Holyhead Mountain (Anglesey). The aims of the project were: - to ascertain whether plants named as Juniperus communis ssp. hemisphaerica form a cohesive genetic group distinct from Juniperus communis ssp. communis; - to assess the extent of clonal growth in British populations of ssp. hemisphaerica. The dataset also confirms the status of a UK BAP species to determine future conservation effort.

Identification

Identifier
NRW_DS108658
Alternative Title
Metadata Language
English
Lineage

All available populations/individuals of ssp. hemisphaerica were sampled (22 plants). To place the results into context, ssp. communis from neighbouring localities were sampled where possible as well as other populations from further afield within the UK (50 plants in total) to capture the range of genetic diversity found within this taxon. DNA was extracted from silica dried leaf material using a Qiagen DNeasy 96 Plant Kit. The genetic techniques used were nuclear microsatellites and chloroplast markers, data analysis was then undertaken. The contractors are experts in this field and so were chosen for the reliability of their research.
Dataset Reference Date (Publication)
2008-12-31

Temporal Extent

Begin date
2007-01-01
End date
2008-12-31
 
Topic category
  • Biota
Owner
  Natural Resources Wales (NRW) -
Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales
http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en
Originator
  Royal Botanic Garden,Edinburgh -
 

Extent

Extent

Geographic Extent
Scotland (SCT)
Geographic Extent
Wales (WLS)
Geographic Extent
England (ENG)
N
W
E
S
Map representing the geographic extent of the dataset


 
 

Distribution

Format Type and Description
  • Documents ( Unknown )

    Specification

    [A] Hardcopy report- paper and electronic version (PDF & MS Word) Ffynnon Reference Number (DCT-09-049646)

 

Quality

Data quality

Quality Scope
Dataset
Conformity
Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services
Explanation

This dataset has not been assessed for conformance to the referenced INSPIRE regulation.
Degree
false
Lineage

All available populations/individuals of ssp. hemisphaerica were sampled (22 plants). To place the results into context, ssp. communis from neighbouring localities were sampled where possible as well as other populations from further afield within the UK (50 plants in total) to capture the range of genetic diversity found within this taxon. DNA was extracted from silica dried leaf material using a Qiagen DNeasy 96 Plant Kit. The genetic techniques used were nuclear microsatellites and chloroplast markers, data analysis was then undertaken. The contractors are experts in this field and so were chosen for the reliability of their research.
 

Keywords

Keywords

GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0
Type
Theme

Citation

Date (Publication)
2008-06-01
Code
geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.httpinspireeceuropaeutheme-theme

Keywords

NRW Thesaurus
  • juniperus communis
  • juniper
  • molecular markers
Type
Theme

Citation

Date (Publication)
2026-08-27
Code
geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-keywords
 

Spatial Reference System

Code
British National Grid (EPSG::27700)
 

Content

Content Information

NRW Profile

Custom Elements

NRW Related Title

An assessment of Juniperus communis ssp hemisphaerica in Britain using molecular markers
 

Constraints

Constraints

Limitations on Public Access and Use

Restriction type
Other restrictions
 

Access Constraints Directive

Limitations
no limitations
 

Access Constraints Text

Other constraints

There are no access restrictions on this data. NRW may release, publish or disseminate it freely.
 

Use Constraints

Use constraints type
Other restrictions
Other constraints

© CNC/NRW Data may be re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence providing it is done so, acknowledging both the source and NRW's copyright. It is the recipient's responsibility to ensure the data is fit for the intended purpose.
 
 
 

Metadata

Metadata

File Identifier
4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313038363538 XML
Metadata Language
English
Resource type
Dataset
Metadata Date
2026-09-28T10:48:29.932Z
Metadata Standard Name
NRW
Metadata Standard Version

1.0

pointOfContact
  Natural Resources Wales (NRW) -
Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales
http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en
 
 

Publishing Body

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