Range marginal populations are often perceived to have lower conservation value compared to those in the core area. The allocation of resources to maintain peripheral populations is therefore often questioned. The sage-leaved rockrose (Cistus salviifolius L.) is a self-incompatible and obligate seeder widely distributed in the Mediterranean area but rare and patchily distributed in Switzerland at its range margin on the southern slopes of the Alps. Here, we combined analysis of genetic diversity with pollinator surveys and field studies of reproductive ecology to compare peripheral Cistus populations in the Alps with range central populations in the Mediterranean. Our results showed no differences in genetic diversity between peripheral and central populations and between fragmented and connected ones at its range margin in the Alps. Although the fragmented populations were visited by more abundant and species richer pollinators (bees and wasps), they showed lower number of seeds and higher self-compatibility compared to the connected ones, which excludes the pollination limitation hypothesis. Overall, our study highlights that peripheral populations of C. salviifolius in the Alps are likely to contribute to maintain genetic diversity, while showing variation in reproductive ecology, and are therefore important for the conservation of this species.

与核心地区相比，范围边缘人群通常被认为具有较低的保护价值。因此，经常有人质疑用于维持周边人口的资源分配。鼠尾草岩蔷薇（Cistus salviifolius L.）是一种自交不亲和专心的播种机，广泛分布于地中海地区，但在瑞士稀有，并且在阿尔卑斯山脉南坡的范围边缘处很少分布。在这里，我们将遗传多样性的分析与传粉媒介调查以及生殖生态学的实地研究相结合，以比较外围的水仙阿尔卑斯山的人口与地中海地区的中心人口。我们的研究结果表明，在阿尔卑斯山外围边缘种群和中央种群之间，在零散的和相连的种群之间，其遗传多样性没有差异。尽管零散的种群受到更丰富和物种更丰富的传粉媒介（蜜蜂和黄蜂）的访问，但与相连的传粉媒介相比，它们显示出更少的种子数量和更高的自溶性，这排除了授粉限制假说。总体而言，我们的研究突出表明，阿尔卑斯山中的沙柳梭菌的外围种群可能有助于维持遗传多样性，同时在生殖生态方面表现出差异，因此对于该物种的保护非常重要。