The GenTree Dendroecological Collection, tree-ring and wood density data from seven tree species across Europe

The dataset presented here was collected by the GenTree project (EU-Horizon 2020), which aims to improve the use of forest genetic resources across Europe by better understanding how trees adapt to their local environment. This dataset of individual tree-core characteristics including ring-width series and whole-core wood density was collected for seven ecologically and economically important European tree species: silver birch (Betula pendula), European beech (Fagus sylvatica), Norway spruce (Picea abies), European black poplar (Populus nigra), maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), and sessile oak (Quercus petraea). Tree-ring width measurements were obtained from 3600 trees in 142 populations and whole-core wood density was measured for 3098 trees in 125 populations. This dataset covers most of the geographical and climatic range occupied by the selected species. The potential use of it will be highly valuable for assessing ecological and evolutionary responses to environmental conditions as well as for model development and parameterization, to predict adaptability under climate change scenarios

Between but not within species variation in the distribution of fitness effects

New mutations provide the raw material for evolution and adaptation. The distribution of fitness effects (DFE) describes the spectrum of effects of new mutations that can occur along a genome, and is therefore of vital interest in evolutionary biology. Recent work has uncovered striking similarities in the DFE between closely related species, prompting us to ask whether there is variation in the DFE among populations of the same species, or among species with different degrees of divergence, i.e., whether there is variation in the DFE at different levels of evolution. Using exome capture data from six tree species sampled across Europe we characterised the DFE for multiple species, and for each species, multiple populations, and investigated the factors potentially influencing the DFE, such as demography, population divergence and genetic background. We find statistical support for there being variation in the DFE at the species level, even among relatively closely related species. However, we find very little difference at the population level, suggesting that differences in the DFE are primarily driven by deep features of species biology, and that evolutionarily recent events, such as demographic changes and local adaptation, have little impact

The GenTree Platform: growth traits and tree-level environmental data in 12 European forest tree species

Background: Progress in the field of evolutionary forest ecology has been hampered by the huge challenge of phenotyping trees across their ranges in their natural environments, and the limitation in high-resolution environmental information. Findings: The GenTree Platform contains phenotypic and environmental data from 4,959 trees from 12 ecologically and economically important European forest tree species: Abies alba Mill. (silver fir), Betula pendula Roth. (silver birch), Fagus sylvatica L. (European beech), Picea abies (L.) H. Karst (Norway spruce), Pinus cembra L. (Swiss stone pine), Pinus halepensis Mill. (Aleppo pine), Pinus nigra Arnold (European black pine), Pinus pinaster Aiton (maritime pine), Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine), Populus nigra L. (European black poplar), Taxus baccata L. (English yew), and Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. (sessile oak). Phenotypic (height, diameter at breast height, crown size, bark thickness, biomass, straightness, forking, branch angle, fructification), regeneration, environmental in situ measurements (soil depth, vegetation cover, competition indices), and environmental modeling data extracted by using bilinear interpolation accounting for surrounding conditions of each tree (precipitation, temperature, insolation, drought indices) were obtained from trees in 194 sites covering the species’ geographic ranges and reflecting local environmental gradients. Conclusion: The GenTree Platform is a new resource for investigating ecological and evolutionary processes in forest trees. The coherent phenotyping and environmental characterization across 12 species in their European ranges allow for a wide range of analyses from forest ecologists, conservationists, and macro-ecologists. Also, the data here presented can be linked to the GenTree Dendroecological collection, the GenTree Leaf Trait collection, and the GenTree Genomic collection presented elsewhere, which together build the largest evolutionary forest ecology data collection available

Genetic monitoring in beech population with genetic and epigenetic markers

Genetic monitoring is a tool of study and research with prognostic value that ensures the protection of processes that maintain genetic variation in natural populations. The goal of this research is the application of genetic monitoring for the first time in real forest ecosystem situations as a proof of concept. Genetic monitoring was applied in three different stages of two natural populations of Fagus sylvatica (adult trees, regeneration and seeds). Two experimental plots with diversifying characteristics were chosen, more specifically representing the low and high altitude of the natural distribution of beech in the Neochori region in Chalkidiki. Sample collecting took place at a temporal scale, in the two plots in two different time periods. Using phenology data as well as genetic and epigenetic markers, the potential changes were studied. The specific aims were: (1) the study of genetic variation and the evolutionary forces that affect the natural populations through the use of microsatellite markers and phenological-demographic parameters in the different stages, (2) the study of functional genes through the study of their variation in single-nucleotide polymorphisms markers and (3) the study of epigenetic variation and differentiation of the three different stages through the use of MSAP markers. Intensive phenological observations were carried out in the adult trees and regeneration of the low altitude stand in every growth period for the 4-year study period. Growth and phenology parameters are an important tool in genetic monitoring because they allow for the first estimates on the condition of the forest in a quick and direct way, acting as verifiers of the genetic monitoring indicator that deals with natural selection. To estimate the levels of genetic diversity and gene flow, 16 f-SSR markers in three combinations in 1971 samples of Fagus sylvatica taken from both plots were used. Moreover, the potentially adaptive genetic variation in terms of single-nucleotide polymorphisms was studied, using 144 SNPs derived from 58 genes that are implicated in mechanisms related to drought tolerance, in 219 beech trees (adults and regeneration) from the low altitude stand. Eight combinations of f-MSAP markers were used in 503 samples from both low and high altitude stands. Overall, genetic monitoring was successfully applied in populations that were studied in different time, space and genetic background. The results showed that the studied populations overall maintain their genetic diversity and their adaptive evolutionary potential, however the process of genetic monitoring must continue, as an evolving process and within the framework dictated by the current theory. The successful application of genetic monitoring in this doctoral thesis provides a proof of principle of the current theory, which was this thesis aim. Genetic monitoring is practically possible and could become an additional advance tool for the comprehensive evaluation of biodiversity.Η γενετική παρακολούθηση είναι εργαλείο μελέτης και έρευνας με προγνωστική αξία, το οποίο διασφαλίζει την προστασία των διαδικασιών που διατηρούν τη γενετική ποικιλότητα. Ο σκοπός της παρούσας έρευνας είναι η εφαρμογή της γενετικής παρακολούθησης για πρώτη φορά στην Ελλάδα ως απόδειξη επί της αρχής. H γενετική παρακολούθηση εφαρμόστηκε σε τρία διαφορετικά στάδια φυσικού πληθυσμού οξυάς (ώριμα άτομα, άτομα αναγέννησης και σπέρματα). Επιλέχθηκαν, δύο επιφάνειες με διαφορίζοντα χαρακτηριστικά και πιο συγκεκριμένα αντιπροσώπευαν το κατώτερο και ανώτερο υψομετρικό όριο της φυσικής εξάπλωσης της οξυάς στην περιοχή του Νεοχώριου Χαλκιδικής. Οι δειγματοληψίες πραγματοποιήθηκαν στις δύο επιφάνειες σε διαφορετικά χρονικά σημεία και με τη χρήση γενετικών και επιγενετικών δεικτών διερευνήθηκαν οι εν δυνάμει αλλαγές. Οι επιμέρους σκοποί ήταν: (1) η μελέτη της γενετικής ποικιλότητας και των εξελικτικών δυνάμεων που επενεργούν στους φυσικούς πληθυσμούς με χρήση μοριακών γενετικών δεικτών μικροδορυφόρων και φαινολογικών – δημογραφικών παραμέτρων, καθώς και η διερεύνηση της γενετικής διαφοροποίησης των τριών διαφορετικών σταδίων του φυσικού πληθυσμού οξυάς, (2) η μελέτη λειτουργικών γονιδίων και πιο συγκεκριμένα η εξερεύνηση και ο έλεγχος σε επίπεδο ποικιλότητας απλών νουκλεοτιδίων πολυμορφισμών γονιδίων και (3) η μελέτη της επιγενετικής ποικιλότητας με χρήση μοριακών γενετικών δεικτών MSAP και η διερεύνηση της επιγενετικής διαφοροποίησης των τριών διαφορετικών σταδίων του φυσικού πληθυσμού οξυάς. Πραγματοποιήθηκαν φαινολογικές παρατηρήσεις σε ενήλικα άτομα και άτομα της αναγέννησης, της επιφάνειας του κάτω υψομετρικού ορίου φυσικής εξάπλωσης σε κάθε αυξητική περίοδο, σε διάρκεια τεσσάρων ετών. Τα αυξητικά και φαινολογικά γνωρίσματα αποτελούν ένα σημαντικό εργαλείο της γενετικής παρακολούθησης διότι με γρήγορο και άμεσο τρόπο μπορούν να εξαχθούν οι πρώτες εκτιμήσεις για την κατάσταση του δάσους, ως επαληθευτές του δείκτη γενετικής παρακολούθησης που αφορά τη φυσική επιλογή. Για την εκτίμηση του εύρους της γενετικής ποικιλότητας και των δεικτών που αφορούν τη γενετική εκτροπή και ροή γονιδίων, χρησιμοποιήθηκαν 16 f-SSR εκκινητές σε τρεις συνδυασμούς σε 1971 δείγματα οξυάς και από τις δύο επιφάνειες του κάτω και άνω υψομετρικού ορίου φυσικής εξάπλωσης. Επιπλέον, μελετήθηκε η εν δυνάμει προσαρμοστική γονιδιωματική ποικιλότητα σε επίπεδο απλών νουκλεοτιδικών πολυμορφισμών γονιδίων. Χρησιμοποιήθηκαν 144 SNPs που προήλθαν από 58 γονίδια τα οποία εμπλέκονται σε μηχανισμούς που σχετίζονται με την αντοχή κατά της καταπόνησης από τη ξηρασία, σε 219 άτομα οξυάς (ενήλικα, αναγέννηση) από την επιφάνεια του κάτω υψομετρικού ορίου φυσικής εξάπλωσης. Χρησιμοποιήθηκαν οκτώ συνδυασμοί f-MSAP εκκινητών σε 503 δείγματα οξυάς και από τις δύο επιφάνειες του κάτω και άνω υψομετρικού ορίου φυσικής εξάπλωσης. Η γενετική παρακολούθηση πραγματοποιήθηκε επιτυχώς στους πληθυσμούς που μελετήθηκαν σε κατά χώρο, χρόνο και διαφορετικό γενετικό υπόβαθρο, τάξη. Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν ότι οι πληθυσμοί που μελετήθηκαν διατηρούν γενικά τη γενετική τους ποικιλότητα και το προσαρμοστικό εξελικτικό τους δυναμικό, ωστόσο η διαδικασία της γενετικής παρακολούθησης πρέπει να συνεχιστεί, ως εξελισσόμενη διαδικασία και στα πλαίσια που ορίζει η τρέχουσα θεωρία. Η επιτυχής εφαρμογή της γενετικής παρακολούθησης στην παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή ουσιαστικά αποδεικνύει επί της αρχής τη σχετική θεωρία, όπως ήταν και ο στόχος της διατριβής. Η γενετική παρακολούθηση είναι πρακτικά εφικτή και μπορεί να αποτελέσει ένα επιπλέον εργαλείο και μέσο για την ολοκληρωμένη βιοπαρακολούθηση της βιοποικιλότητας

Studying the Genetic and the Epigenetic Diversity of the Endangered Species <i>Juniperus drupacea</i> Labill. towards Safeguarding Its Conservation in Greece

Juniperus drupacea Labill is a unique representative tree which, nowadays, has limited geographical range. In Greece, it exists only in the southeastern part of the Peloponnese, and it is labeled as endangered according to the IUCN in Europe. In the light of climatic changes, a conservation plan which will secure its adaptation and resilience is important. Knowledge of the genetic and the epigenetic diversity of J. drupacea in Greece can establish a pledge for sustainability. In this study, genetic diversity with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers and epigenetic diversity assessed with methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) were used for eleven subpopulations of the species. Simultaneously, first assessment between midday water potential (Ψmd) and epigenetic diversity was calculated in order to determine drought response of the species. Results showed that genetic diversity was higher than epigenetic diversity and no subpopulation differentiation was observed. No significant correlations were found between geographic, epigenetic, and genetic diversity, indicating that the genetic diversity is uncoupled from epigenetic diversity. A significant negative correlation between epigenetic Shannon index and Ψmd was found. The holistic research of genetic and epigenetic diversity paves the way for an effective conservation plan for the species

First Report and Genetic Analysis of the Invasive Species <i>A. fruticosa</i> L. in Greece: A Combined Genetic and Regeneration Study

A first assessment of genetic diversity and expansion of the invasive species Amorpha fruticosa L. was estimated in the 91E0* (Annex I Dir. 92/43/EEC) priority habitat of Nestos. A. fruticosa is a perennial deciduous shrub belonging to the family Fabaceae and is native to the south-western part of North America, which recently was introduced to Europe as an ornamental plant. Its expansion through the cross-border river of Nestos has significant negative effects on the 91E0* habitat (a habitat with Alnus glutinosa, Populus alba, and Ulmus minor). Herein, we studied the genetic diversity with amplified fragment length polymorphisms fragments of eastern and western populations in order to see if there is one genetic pool for the species. Furthermore, we estimated the regeneration index (IR) in order to see the potential expansion of this invasive species. Results showed that eastern and western populations have almost equal heterozygosity (He) and with a slightly higher value for the western population, which was in agreement with the results of the IR. This is an innovative study that discusses the implications of A. fruticosa of 91E0* habitat in Nestos and proposes management measures to eliminate its expansion and improve the resilience of the habitat

The GenTree Dendroecological Collection, tree-ring and wood density data from seven tree species across Europe

The dataset presented here was collected by the GenTree project (EU-Horizon 2020), which aims to improve the use of forest genetic resources across Europe by better understanding how trees adapt to their local environment. This dataset of individual tree-core characteristics including ring-width series and whole-core wood density was collected for seven ecologically and economically important European tree species: silver birch (Betula pendula), European beech (Fagus sylvatica), Norway spruce (Picea abies), European black poplar (Populus nigra), maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), and sessile oak (Quercus petraea). Tree-ring width measurements were obtained from 3600 trees in 142 populations and whole-core wood density was measured for 3098 trees in 125 populations. This dataset covers most of the geographical and climatic range occupied by the selected species. The potential use of it will be highly valuable for assessing ecological and evolutionary responses to environmental conditions as well as for model development and parameterization, to predict adaptability under climate change scenarios.publishedVersio

Employee in an organization as a good citizen

This graduation thesis focuses on the identification of key sources of Organizational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB) which are present in a chosen organization. The outcome of this work contains a list of factors which have supporting or adverse effect on OCB usage. The thesis also includes recommendations for arrangements of the working environment which would increase the willingness of the employees to exhibit OCB

Author Correction: The GenTree Dendroecological Collection, tree-ring and wood density data from seven tree species across Europe

The dataset presented here was collected by the GenTree project (EU-Horizon 2020), which aims to improve the use of forest genetic resources across Europe by better understanding how trees adapt to their local environment. This dataset of individual tree-core characteristics including ring-width series and whole-core wood density was collected for seven ecologically and economically important European tree species: silver birch (Betula pendula), European beech (Fagus sylvatica), Norway spruce (Picea abies), European black poplar (Populus nigra), maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), and sessile oak (Quercus petraea). Tree-ring width measurements were obtained from 3600 trees in 142 populations and whole-core wood density was measured for 3098 trees in 125 populations. This dataset covers most of the geographical and climatic range occupied by the selected species. The potential use of it will be highly valuable for assessing ecological and evolutionary responses to environmental conditions as well as for model development and parameterization, to predict adaptability under climate change scenarios.An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper

The GenTree Leaf Collection: Inter‐ and intraspecific leaf variation in seven forest tree species in Europe

Trait variation within species can reveal plastic and/or genetic responses to environmental gradients, and may indicate where local adaptation has occurred. Here, we present a dataset of rangewide variation in leaf traits from seven of the most ecologically and economically important tree species in Europe. Sample collection and trait assessment are embedded in the GenTree project (EU-Horizon 2020), which aims at characterizing the genetic and phenotypic variability of forest tree species to optimize the management and sustainable use of forest genetic resources. Our dataset captures substantial intra- and interspecific leaf phenotypic variability, and provides valuable information for studying the relationship between ecosystem functioning and trait variability of individuals, and the response and resilience of species to environmental changes.Optimising the management and sustainable use of forest genetic resources in Europ