Low Population Differentiation but High Phenotypic Plasticity of European Beech in Germany

Forests

Tanja Kempen¹  Oliver Gailing¹  Markus Müller¹  Reiner Finkeldey² 

[1] Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, Faculty for Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Goettingen, Büsgenweg 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany;University of Kassel, Mönchebergstraße 19, 34109 Kassel, Germany;

关键词: adaptation;    climate change;    drought;    Fagaceae;    genetics;    growth;   

DOI  :  10.3390/f11121354

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Drought is increasingly impairing the vitality of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in several regions of its distribution range. In times of climate change, adaptive traits such as plant phenology and frost tolerance are also becoming more important. Adaptive patterns of European beech seem to be complex, as contrasting results regarding the relative effect of phenotypic plasticity and genetic variation in trait variation have been reported. Here, we used a large translocation experiment comprising more than 15,500 seedlings in three regions of Germany to investigate local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity in beech. We found low population differentiation regarding plant survival, and plant height increment, but high phenotypic plasticity for these traits. Survival showed a positive correlation with temperature variables and a less pronounced and negative correlation with precipitation-related variables. This suggests a predominant effect of temperature and growing degree days on the survival of beech seedlings under moderate drought stress. The high phenotypic plasticity may help beech to cope with changing environmental conditions, albeit increasing drought stress may make adaptive changes necessary in the long term.

【 授权许可】

Unknown