Genecology and the adaptations of forest trees

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8 word format

document in English

ecology & environment

presentation

published 25/11/2008

review : Completed

level : Advanced

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Genecology is the study of intraspeciﬁc genetic variation in relation to environmental conditions. It reveals patterns of adaptation of populations to their environments that result from differences in natural selection among locations. Genecological studies are conducted for the practical purposes of: (1) determining how far seed can be moved from the collection site to a reforestation site without risking maladaptation of the trees to the planting site; (2) delineating geographic breeding zones for which a single breeding program would suffice; (3) selecting optimal provenances within the native range for nonnative (introduced) species; and, more recently, (4) predicting the ability of populations of forest trees to adapt to rapidly changing climates. To meet these objectives, seed is collected from different provenances (geographic origins) throughout all or a portion of a species range and planted in one or more ﬁeld or nursery common-garden experiments. The survival and growth of trees of different provenances are observed under the same set of environmental conditions, allowing for the separation of genetic and environmental effects.

Introduction.
Background.
1. The recognition of genetic variation among populations of trees.
2. What early botanists and foresters lacked.
3. Investigations of provenance variation.
4. The basic genecological experimental design used by Clausen, Keck, and Heisey.
Evolutionary forces.
1. The pattern of genetic variation.
2. Species that show strong patterns of genetic variation.
Genecological methods.
1. Provenance trials.
2. Short-term genecological experiments.
3. Data analysis.
Genecological trends.
1. Local provenances in general.
2. The steepness of genetic clines.
Predicting response to climate change.
Summary.