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We present BeechCOSTe52; a database of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) phenotypic measurements for several traits related to fitness measured in genetic trials planted across Europe. The dataset was compiled and harmonized during the COST-Action E52 (2006–2010), and subsequently cross-validated to ensure consistency of measurement data among trials and provenances. Phenotypic traits (height, diameter at breast height, basal diameter, mortality, phenology of spring bud burst and autumn–leaf discoloration) were recorded in 38 trial sites where 217 provenances covering the entire distribution of European beech were established in two consecutive series (1993/95 and 1996/98). The recorded data refer to 862,095 measurements of the same trees aged from 2 to 15 years old over multiple years. This dataset captures the considerable genetic and phenotypic intra-specific variation present in European beech and should be of interest to researchers from several disciplines including quantitative genetics, ecology, biogeography, macroecology, adaptive management of forests and bioeconomy.

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Former studies based on chloroplast markers and allozymes suggested that postglacial recolonization of central Europe by Fagus sylvatica L. occurred from one or a few undifferentiated refuges. Here, we examine F. sylvatica from Germany and Greece and different provenances of F. sylvatica ssp. orientalis (Lipsky) Greut & Burd. (F. orientalis Lipsky) with chloroplast microsatellites and AFLP markers. Only such AFLP markers were selected that had shown a differential amplification in F. sylvatica and F. orientalis in a preliminary analysis. UPGMA cluster analysis of AFLP data distinguished one F. sylvatica group and one F. orientalis group from northern Turkey. Low structuring in the neighborjoining analysis and the lack of diagnostic bands for either taxon suggests a relatively recent differentiation in Fagus orientalis and F. sylvatica. High bootstrap values were only found for a separate cluster that comprises F. orientalis from two different forest botanical gardens. Four of these samples have a unique chloroplast type and are genetically very similar (bootstrap value 96) mostly likely due to clonal replication. Only two different chloroplast types (type 1 in Germany, type 1 and type 2 in Greece) could be detected for F. sylvatica. In contrast, F. orientalis from northern Turkey showed different chloroplast types even within one provenance pointing to a glacial refuge in northern Turkey and a bottleneck at the time of postglacial recolonization of central Europe. The classification of ten samples from northern Turkey as F. sylvatica by AFLP data, chloroplast markers and morphology questions the interpretation of F. orientalis and F. sylvatica as two geographically separated (allopatric) taxa.

Abstract:The results of research into leaf stomatal variability of five European beech provenances originating from Austria, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Germany, Romania and Serbia are presented in this paper. Aim of the study was to investigate how stomatal traits of provenances originating from different environments change in response to drought stress and to assess the phenotypic plasticity of the stomatal features investigated. The study was conducted during two different years, characterized by contrasting weather conditions (2010 and 2011). Two-way ANOVA revealed that provenances differ significantly in terms of stomatal density (SD), width of stomatal aperture (W b ), potential conductance index (PCI) and relative stomatal pore surface (RSPS), during both seasons. In a dry year (2011) all provenances significantly increased stomatal density by between 16.1% (Hasbruch -DE) and 21.9% (Cer -SRB). Guard cell length (L A ) was not statistically different among provenances in either year (2010 and 2011), even though L A decreased in the dry year (2011) in all provenances. Reaction norms were steep in most of the parameters suggesting the possibility of a plastic response of provenances toward changes in soil water regime, influenced by the prevailing weather each year. Phenotypic plasticity indices were the highest in regards of SD, PCI and RSPS, indicating that these traits would be good candidates for improvement in breeding programs aimed at selection of drought resistant.