Influence of provenance transfer on the growth and survival of Picea abies provenances

Two provenance experiments with Norway spruce in Slovakia were used to reveal trends in the behaviour of provenances after their transfer. Regressions between the average height and survival of provenances and the differences between the geographic and selected climatic characteristics of the place of origin and provenance plots were significant for most of the characteristics tested. Data from the experiment with Polish and Slovak provenances from 1972 indicated that transfer into warmer regions with a longer vegetation period results in improved height growth and survival, with the exception of survival at initial stages. The experiment from 1964 with a broader altitudinal range of provenance plots, but with unadjusted latest measurements at individual plots available, revealed the best height growth of Slovak Norway spruce provenances after their transfer to sites with the mean annual temperature approximately 1°C higher and with the vegetation period 12 days longer than at places of origin. Transfer into lower altitudes, a warmer climate and a longer vegetation period improved survival. In both experiments, transfer to areas with increased rainfall had a negative effect on growth, which is probably associated with the fact that provenances are not able to exploit additional precipitation for the growth in areas with a colder climate and a shorter vegetation period

Dynamic conservation of forest genetic resources in 33 European countries

Dynamic conservation of forest genetic resources (FGR) means maintaining the genetic diversity of trees within an evolutionary process and allowing generation turnover in the forest. We assessed the network of forests areas managed for the dynamic conservation of FGR (conservation units) across Europe (33 countries). On the basis of information available in the European Information System on FGR (EUFGIS Portal), species distribution maps, and environmental stratification of the continent, we developed ecogeographic indicators, a marginality index, and demographic indicators to assess and monitor forest conservation efforts. The pan-European network has 1967 conservation units, 2737 populations of target trees, and 86 species of target trees. We detected a poor coincidence between FGR conservation and other biodiversity conservation objectives within this network. We identified 2 complementary strategies: a species-oriented strategy in which national conservation networks are specifically designed for key target species and a site-oriented strategy in which multiple-target units include so-called secondary species conserved within a few sites. The network is highly unbalanced in terms of species representation, and 7 key target species are conserved in 60% of the conservation units. We performed specific gap analyses for 11 tree species, including assessment of ecogeographic, demographic, and genetic criteria. For each species, we identified gaps, particularly in the marginal parts of their distribution range, and found multiple redundant conservation units in other areas. The Mediterranean forests and to a lesser extent the boreal forests are underrepresented. Monitoring the conservation efficiency of each unit remains challenging; however

Dynamic conservation of forest genetic resources in 33 European countries

Dynamic conservation of forest genetic resources (FGR) means maintaining the genetic diversity of trees within an evolutionary process and allowing generation turnover in the forest. We assessed the network of forests areas managed for the dynamic conservation of FGR (conservation units) across Europe (33 countries). On the basis of information available in the European Information System on FGR (EUFGIS Portal), species distribution maps, and environmental stratification of the continent, we developed ecogeographic indicators, a marginality index, and demographic indicators to assess and monitor forest conservation efforts. The pan-European network has 1967 conservation units, 2737 populations of target trees, and 86 species of target trees. We detected a poor coincidence between FGR conservation and other biodiversity conservation objectives within this network. We identified 2 complementary strategies: a species-oriented strategy in which national conservation networks are specifically designed for key target species and a site-oriented strategy in which multiple-target units include so-called secondary species conserved within a few sites. The network is highly unbalanced in terms of species representation, and 7 key target species are conserved in 60% of the conservation units. We performed specific gap analyses for 11 tree species, including assessment of ecogeographic, demographic, and genetic criteria. For each species, we identified gaps, particularly in the marginal parts of their distribution range, and found multiple redundant conservation units in other areas. The Mediterranean forests and to a lesser extent the boreal forests are underrepresented. Monitoring the conservation efficiency of each unit remains challenging; however

Biogeography and evolutionary history of Abies alba Mill., a synthesis based on paleobotany and genetics

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