Autochthone beech forests in gorges of Franconian keuper : Genetic structure, species inventary, silvicultural development and mapping in Natura 2000

Im Fränkischen Keuper gibt es in 2 etwa 100 km voneinander entfernt gelegenen Gebieten, dem Spalter Hügelland und dem Obermain-Hügelland, reizvolle Bachschluchten, in denen man reiche Tannenvorkommen vorfindet, die im Falle der obermainischen Rhätschluchten viele montane Arten aufweisen, und im Falle der mittelfränkischen Bachklingen buchenwaldähnliche Mischwälder bilden. Die von WALENTOWSKI et al. (2004) beschriebene hohe Artendiversität und der damit verbundene Wert von Tannenwaldgesell-schaften zeichnet auch die untersuchten Bestände aus. Es werden die Ergebnisse von Isoenzymanalysen präsentiert, aufgrund derer die Tannenvorkommen als autochthon eingestuft werden können. Die genetische Struktur der Tannenpopulationen wird im Vergleich der beiden Gebiete dargestellt. Vegetationskundlich sind die Bestände schwer einzu-ordnen, da Arten aus den Nadelwäldern, den Buchenwäldern sowie den Erlen-Ulmen-Auwäldern miteinander vergesellschaftet sind. Als potentiell natürliche Vegetation ist ein tannenreiches Galio-Fagetum oder Luzulo-Fagetum (Spalt) bzw. ein Vaccinio-Abietetum (Obermain) anzunehmen. Im Untersuchungsgebiet sind eine Reihe von Keuperschluchten als Natura 2000 Gebiete ausgewiesen. Es wird auf die Schwierigkeiten hingewiesen, die der aktuell hohe Fichtenreichtum für die Natura 2000-Lebensraumtypenkartierung der Bestände bedeutet, sowie für einen Schutz und Erhalt der Bestände plädiert.The landscape of the Franconian keuper is rich of gorges with a cool and wet microclimate. Abies alba is a regular component in the gorge forests, being associated with montane plant species. Vegetation relevés using the method of Braun-Blanquet show the floristic relationship with an Abies alba-rich Galio-Fagetum and the Vaccinio-Abietetum. Genetic analyses using Isoenzyme markers indicate the autochthony of Abies alba. The genetic structure in the two different study regions is discussed with respect to the clinal variation of silver fir in Bavaria. The difficulty is discussed to include the investigated fir communities to pro-tected plant communities in the sense the European Natura 2000 program, mainly because of their high proportion of spruce (Picea abies) in the canopy

Identification of varieties and gene flow in Douglasfir exemplified in artificially established stands in Germany

Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] is an economicallyvaluable non-native tree species in Germany and is considered verypromising in view of global climate change. Therefore, the genetic characterization of Douglas-fir populations and seed stands in Germany is essential.We studied coastal and interior Douglas-fir varieties, both presentin Germany, by using eleven isoenzyme and four microsatellite loci. Byanalyzing eight reference populations of known origin we were able toidentify the two varieties on the population level using Bayesian and distance based methods. Seven populations present in Bavaria were then successfully assigned to one of the two varieties. Within varieties we found stronger grouping within the interior variety than within the coastal one. Despite lower differences within coastal Douglas-fir we have first indications for the origin of two populations. For two Bavarian populations, natural regeneration was included and genetic data revealed no significant genetic difference between adults and offspring. The parentage analysis for one of the studied stands revealed that a large proportion of adults took part in the reproduction, but some trees were more successful than othersin transferring their genes to the next generation. Our study was ableto improve variety identification of Douglas-fir using isoenzyme markers and nuclear microsatellites and study reproductive patterns, both are important issues for the management of Douglas-fir stands in Bavaria

Genetic differentiation of the indigenous Norway Spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) populations in Slovenia investigated by means of isoenzyme gene markers

Raziskava obravnava genetsko diferenciacijo 22 populacij smreke (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) z njenih naravnih rastišč v Sloveniji in 4 na Hrvaškem z analizo izoencimskih genskih označevalcev. Razlike med populacijami smo ocenili z genetskimi razdaljami po Gregoriusu (1974) za 15 polimorfnih genskih lokusov. Vrednosti genetskih razdalj se gibljejo med 0,021 in 0,073 (v Sloveniji do 0,063). Izoencimska genetska diferenciranost smreke je razmeroma majhna. Rezultati hierarhične klasifikacije nakazujejo geografsko odvisno združevanjepopulacij v dve skupini: alpsko skupino s Trnovskim gozdom in osrednje dinarsko skupino. Skupini se na območju Snežnika tudi prekrivata.Genetic differentiation of 22 indigenous Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) populations from Slovenia and 4 from Croatia has been investigated by means of isoenzyme gene markers. The degree of differentiation among populations has been measured with genetic distances proposed by Gregorius (1974) for 15 polymorphic gene loci. Multilocus estimates of genetic distancesrange between 0.021 and 0.073 (in Slovenia up to 0.063). Norway spruce populations did not show a strong genetic differentiation by isozymes. The results of hierarchical classification indicated a geographically dependent pooling of populations into two distinct groups: Alpine group including Trnovski gozd and Central Dinaric group, with the two groups overlapping in the Snežnik area

Genetic diversity in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seed stands in the Romanian Carpathians

In Romania, European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is the most important broadleaved tree species. The goal of the present study was to determine the genetic diversity and differentiation in and between natural beech populations from the Romanian Carpathians and the transmission of the genetic diversity to the next generation. The populations analyzed were registered as seed stands. Genetic analysis was based on ten nuclear microsatellites. The highest amount of genetic variation was within populations, whereas genetic differentiation between populations was low. In the adult populations the mean number of alleles per locus varied from 8.0 to 10.9, the effective number from 8.3 to 9.6. Heterozygosity ranged from 0.637 to 0.750 with the mean of 0.681(±0.018). The overall genetic differentiation FST between populations averaged 0.014. Geographic patterns within this region were not detected. Regenerating these stands naturally has not implied a reduction in the genetic variation in the following generation. Allelic richness, genetic diversity and heterozygosity in adult stands and their natural regeneration is not significantly different. Inbreeding effects were not observed (F between -0.032 and 0.061). The results complete the knowledge on genetic variation of beech in Romania and give insides into the genetic diversity of beech seed stands. They can be helpful too for the delineation of provenance regions in the Romanian Carpathians.</p

The genetic population study of Balkan Silver Fir (Abies alba Mill.)

Background and Purpose: Silver fir (Abies albaMill.) is one of the most important forest tree species in theWestern Balkan area from both economic and ecological aspect. Its distribution has for years been the subject of scientific research, the reason being that silver fir from these areas displays very interesting morphological and genetic differentiation. Material and methods: The development of modern methods and the use of nad5-4 marker have solved the problem of contact zones of silver fir originating from the Apennine and Balkan glacial refugia in the Western Balkan area. The objective of this study was to determine the boundary of gene introgression of silver fir derived from the Apennine and Balkan glacial refugia in the western Balkan populations with the use of isoenzymes. Twenty-four selected populations from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia were investigated. Nine enzyme systems were studied, polymorphic gene loci were scored and so were their allelic types. The analysis of general genetic parameters did not allowfor any conclusion, and neither did the analysis of genetic distances. For this reason, the allele distribution was analyzed. Results and Conclusions: Statistical analysis showed the separation of the populations from Croatia which belong to the group west of the contact zone. In the populations along the contact zone and in those from the eastern part, the grouping did not show any regularity or any clinal variability. The main reason for this is attributed to high ecological diversity, fragmentation and the occurrence of genetic drift. It can be concluded that silver fir originating from the Balkan refugium was more widely distributed in the past, but is now constantly retreating in relation to that originating from the Apennines. Another hypothesis is that it may have reached southern Germany through a similar gene flow. The impact of the alleles originating from the Apennine refugium is also present in the eastern parts of Bosnia

Die Verwendung von Isoenzym-Polymorphismen - eine Herausforderungen bei der Züchtung neuer Baldriansorten (Valeriana officinalis L. s.l.)

Mit Hilfe von Isoenzym-Polymorphismen sollte versucht werden, biochemische Unterschiede (Fingerprint) zwischen verschiedenen Baldrianherkünften darzustellen, um im Anschluss diejenigen Individuen zu finden, die durch Kreuzung und nicht durch Selbstung entstanden sind. Bei Baldrian konnte für diese Methode kein Verfahrensprotokoll etabliert werden, womit auch eine Untersuchung von Kreuzungsnachkommen nicht erfolgte. The Application of Isozyme-Polymorphism – a challenge in the breeding of new varieties of valerian (Valeriana officinalis L. sl)The aim of this work was to develop a method to distinguish different origins of valerian by isozyme polymorphisms (fingerprint) in order to identify selfings and crossings in breeding generations. In valerian a protocol could not be established, whereby an analysis in crossbreed descendants also did not happen

Towards the dynamic conservation of Serbian spruce (Picea omorika) western populations

Key message High levels of genetic diversity, pronounced genetic structure and limitations to gene flow in Serbian spruce, a rare and endangered tree species from the refugial Balkan region, point towards a "one population-one unit" strategy for assembling a network of Genetic Conservation Units (GCUs) for its dynamic conservation. On the other hand, genetic information also permits to prioritize populations for conservation based on their contribution to genetic diversity and differentiation. Context Serbian spruce, Picea omorika (Panc.) Purk., is a rare, IUCN red-listed European conifer endemic to the Balkan region. Its current rigid conservation (without any intervention allowed in similar to 30 remnant populations) and the extant network of Genetic Conservation Units (four natural populations and three planted stands from the western part of the species range, in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, RS-BH) might be ineffective in preserving the species' genetic diversity. Aims To facilitate implementation of dynamic conservation of Serbian spruce by re-assessing the number and size of remnant populations in RS-BH and updating genetic knowledge on these understudied western Serbian spruce populations. Methods Comprehensive field survey in RS-BH, genotyping 689 individuals from 14 western populations with ten highly informative nuclear EST-SSRs and analytical methods for prioritizing populations for conservation based on their contribution to the geographical structuring of genetic diversity. Results The genetic diversity of western Serbian spruce populations (Ae = 2.524, H-E = 0.451) is comparable with what was found for eastern ones; they are highly genetically differentiated (Hedrick's G'(ST) = 0.186; Jost's D = 0.097) and comprise ten distinct gene pools. Effective population size is often gt = 15. As much as 14% of alleles is not preserved in the extant GCUs established in natural populations. Eight populations positively contribute to within-population genetic diversity, four to genetic differentiation, and two are globally important in terms of diversity and differentiation. Although wildfires may contribute to admixture of different gene pools, re-establishment from seeds from extirpated populations has likely prevailed in studied populations. Conclusions A larger network of GCUs is required for the dynamic conservation of western Serbian spruce populations. A "one population-one unit" strategy, with 14 GCUs, would represent the safest approach to conserve species extant genetic variation in this part of the species range. Nonetheless, a strategy to prioritize populations for conservation based on their contribution to allelic diversity has been put forward. Given the rapid global warming and peculiarities of Serbian spruce distribution, habitat and life history traits, conservation measures based on a rigorously designed GCU network are urgent for its rescue and survival

Local adaptations to frost in marginal and central populations of the dominant forest tree Fagus sylvatica L. as affected by temperature and extreme drought in common garden experiments

Local adaptations to environmental conditions are of high ecological importance as they determine distribution ranges and likely affect species responses to climate change. Increased environmental stress (warming, extreme drought) due to climate change in combination with decreased genetic mixing due to isolation may lead to stronger local adaptations of geographically marginal than central populations. We experimentally observed local adaptations of three marginal and four central populations of Fagus sylvaticaL., the dominant native forest tree, to frost over winter and in spring (late frost). We determined frost hardiness of buds and roots by the relative electrolyte leakage in two common garden experiments. The experiment at the cold site included a continuous warming treatment; the experiment at the warm site included a preceding summer drought manipulation. In both experiments, we found evidence for local adaptation to frost, with stronger signs of local adaptation in marginal populations. Winter frost killed many of the potted individuals at the cold site, with higher survival in the warming treatment and in those populations originating from colder environments. However, we found no difference in winter frost tolerance of buds among populations, implying that bud survival was not the main cue for mortality. Bud late frost tolerance in April differed between populations at the warm site, mainly because of phenological differences in bud break. Increased spring frost tolerance of plants which had experienced drought stress in the preceding summer could also be explained by shifts in phenology. Stronger local adaptations to climate in geographically marginal than central populations imply the potential for adaptation to climate at range edges. In times of climate change, however, it needs to be tested whether locally adapted populations at range margins can successfully adapt further to changing conditions

Non-Native Forest Tree Species in Europe: The Question of Seed Origin in Afforestation

Non-native forest tree species have been introduced in Europe since the 16th century, but only in the second half of the 20th century the significance of the seed source origin for their economic use was recognized, resulting in the establishment of numerous provenance trials at a national, regional, European and International level, as those led by IUFRO. Breeding programs have also been launched in the continent for the most economically important species. Aim of this work is the formulation of provenance recommendations for planting of five non-native tree species in Europe (Douglas fir, grand fir, Sitka spruce, lodgepole pine and black locust), based on the information obtained from twenty countries, in the frame of the EU FP-1403 NNEXT Cost Action. The survey revealed that official and non-official national recommendations, based on provenance research results, have been elaborated and followed at a different level and extend for the above five species, but only for Douglas fir recommendations exist in almost all the participating to the survey countries. The compilation of provenance recommendations across Europe for each species is presented in the current work. Besides the recommended introduced seed sources, European seed sources are also preferred for planting, due to ease of access and high availability of forest reproductive material. European breeding programs yielding genetic material of high productivity and quality constitute currently the seed source of choice for several species and countries. Consolidation of trial data obtained across countries will allow the joint analysis that is urgently needed to draw solid conclusions, and will facilitate the development of ‘Universal-Response-Functions’ for the species of interest, rendering possible the identification of the genetic material suitable for global change. New provenance trial series that will test seed sources from the entire climatic range of the species, established in sites falling within and outside the environmental envelopes of their natural ranges, are urgently needed to pinpoint and understand the species-specific climate constraints, as well as to correlate functional traits to the seed origin and the environmental conditions of the test sites, so that the selection of suitable forest reproductive material of non-native tree species in the face of climate change can be feasible.publishedVersio

Short reviews on the genetics and breeding of introduced to Europe forest tree species

Monograph represents short reviews on the genetics and breeding of introduced to Europe forest tree species. The management of tree species non-native to European geographical regions has a long tradition within forestry management practice. Their introduction to Europe (initially focused on growing tree species) dates back to the 18th century when enormous demands were being made on natural resources to sustain the on-going industrialization of Europe. Today issues of biomass production and C sequestration as well as the question of whether these species could increase the adaptive capacity of forests to long-term climate change patterns have fueled a growing interest in non-native tree species in Europe