Steven Sande

Genetic Diversity in Scots Pine

News Article vs Research Publication

("Glen Affric - Scots Pine - sq_484 (1).")

The Scots Pine is the only pine native to northern Europe. It is the official tree of Scotland. It has a history of extirpation and reintroduction in many countries due to exploitation. The lifespan is 150-300 years, but some individuals have been recorded at 700 years (Earle).

The all science news website Science Daily, published an article on September 16, 2010 regarding the state of genetic diversity of the iconic scots pine titled, Scots Pine Shows Its Continental Roots. The article was based on a research paper titled High genetic diversity at the extreme range edge: nucleotide variation at nuclear loci in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Scotland. As the titles indicate, these are two very different publications. At first glance, the most prominent contrast is the comprehensibility. Unless you have university level knowledge of genetics, the meaning of the information in the research paper, is likely out of reach. This allows the information to be much more detailed though. If you can understand it, you will learn more and respect what you have learned. Surprisingly, these contrasts do not translate into contradictions. The article is fairly consistent with the journal. This certainly is not always the case.

All organization caters to their target audience. Naturally a research group will write for highly specialized scientists. Alternatively, a news website may choose to write for people who don’t necessarily have extensive backgrounds in science. For example, Science Daily explains that,

“By studying the remnant Scottish populations the researchers were able to see how much genetic variation remains” (Scots Pine Shows Its Continental Roots 2010).

The journal explains the same concept as,

“Nucleotide polymorphism at 12 nuclear loci was studied in Scots pine populations across an environmental gradient in Scotland, to evaluate the impacts of demographic history and selection on genetic diversity.” (Wachowiak, Salmela, Iason, Ennos, and Cavers 2010).

Take into consideration this might have been the simplest sentence in the whole piece of work, and it is still more complicated than the article equivalent. This is partly because it is filled with details.

(Simplicity)

Every decision has benefits and limitations. In this case the decision is regarding target audience, and the variable is detail. Refer to the quotes in the previous paragraph. Both quotes contain a procedural and conclusive element. The procedural element in the article is,

“By studying the remnant Scottish populations” (Scots Pine Shows Its Continental Roots 2010).

All you know from this is that remaining scottish populations were studied. Compare this to,

“Nucleotide polymorphism at 12 nuclear loci was studied in Scots pine populations across an environmental gradient in Scotland” (Wachowiak, Salmela, Iason, Ennos, and Cavers 2010).

In this situation you know a broad range of genetic characteristics were investigated, and that the subjects were from varied environments. The conclusive elements follow the same pattern. Compare the article,

“researchers were able to see how much genetic variation remains” (Scots Pine Shows Its Continental Roots 2010),

with the journal,

“to evaluate the impacts of demographic history and selection on genetic diversity.” (Wachowiak, Salmela, Iason, Ennos, and Cavers 2010).

Again, from the article you know they discovered how much genetic variation remained. The journal gives you that, plus the specific mechanisms they believe to be the cause. Something else that also indicateds detail is length. The journal will likely take twenty minutes to read whereas the article takes a couple of minutes.

These differences do not represent any irresponsibility by either side. In some instances though, articles can misrepresent facts and blow the implications out of proportion. Fortunately, this case showed no evidence of such tactics. Everything in the article was consistent with the source. Even the possible outcome of the research is reserved and taken from statements in the journal. Contextual quotes from co-authors adds to the legitimacy. It is clear that Science Daily is aware of the issues associated with Scientific reporting and takes pride in its corporate social responsibility. I certainly appreciate the service they provide. Not everybody can understand a research paper, but through simplified articles they can learn from and appreciate them.

Works Cited:

Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. "Scots Pine Shows Its Continental Roots." ScienceDaily 16 September 2010. 22 September 2010 <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100908191136.htm>.

Earle, Christopher. "Pinus sylvestris." Gymnosperm Database (n.d.): n. pag. Web. 23 Sep 2010.

"Glen Affric - Scots Pine - sq_484 (1)."http://www.wild-scotland.org.uk/. Web. 21 Sep 2010.

"Simplicity." http://ozguru.mu.nu/. Web. 23 Sep 2010.

Wachowiak W, Salmela M, Iason G, Ennos R, Cavers S.High genetic diversity at the extreme range edge: nucleotide variation at candidate gene loci in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Scotland. Heredity, 2010; DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2010.118