Local adaptation is a critical evolutionary process that allows plants to grow better in their local compared to non‐native habitat and results in species‐wide geographic patterns of adaptive genetic variation. For forest tree species with a long generation time, this spatial genetic heterogeneity can shape the ability of trees to respond to rapid climate change. Here, we identify genomic variation that may confer local environmental adaptations and then predict the extent of adaptive mismatch under future climate as a tool for forest restoration or management of the widely distributed high‐elevation oak species Quercus rugosa in Mexico. Using genotyping by sequencing, we identified 5,354 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) genotyped from 103 individuals across 17 sites in the Trans‐Mexican Volcanic Belt, and, after controlling for neutral genetic structure, we detected 74 F ST outlier SNPs and 97 SNPs associated with climate variation. Then, we deployed a nonlinear multivariate model, Gradient Forests, to map turnover in allele frequencies along environmental gradients and predict areas most sensitive to climate change. We found that spatial patterns of genetic variation were most strongly associated with precipitation seasonality and geographic distance. We identified regions of contemporary genetic and climatic similarities and predicted regions where future populations of Q. rugosa might be at risk due to high expected rate of climate change. Our findings provide preliminary details for future management strategies of Q. rugosa in Mexico and also illustrate how a landscape genomic approach can provide a useful tool for conservation and resource management strategies.

Background. Abiotic constraints, historical effects of the last glaciation, and differential dispersal, have been proposed as potential explanations to account for the latitudinal decrease in acorn size of wide-ranging oak species distributed in the U.S. and Canada. Hypothesis. We specifically tested the abiotic constraints hypothesis on oak acorn size in a geographical area without the counfounding influence of glaciation and related dispersal history. Data description. Acorns from seven populations of the white oak Quercus rugosa were collected, encompassing the distribution of the species in Mexico. Study site and years of study. Mexico, 2009Mexico, -2010. Results. Acorn length, width, mass and volume differed significantly among populations and indicated a marked clinal latitudinal reduction in acorn size. A multiple regression model revealed that this reduction in size (measured as acorn volume) can be explained by two important bioclimatic variables (growing season precipitation and growing season degree-days above 5 °C), while spatial variables (latitude and longitude) are not significant. Furthermore, germination percentage was significantly correlated to acorn mass and volume. Conclusions. The main determinants of the latitudinal decline in acorn size are climate factors constraining seed development. This decline is maladaptive for seedling establishment, with important implications for the delination of northern limits of species ranges. Key words: acorn size, climate factors, geographical variation, latitudinal distribution, Quercus. Determinantes climáticos del tamaño de las bellotas y el porcentaje de germinación de Quercus rugosa (Fagaceae) a lo largo de un gradiente latitudinal en México ResumenAntecedentes. Las restricciones abióticas, el efecto histórico de la última glaciación y la dispersión diferencial son posibles explicaciones para la disminución latitudinal del tamaño de las bellotas en especies de encinos de amplia distribución en los EE.UU. y Canadá. Hipótesis. Se probó específicamente la hipótesis de las restricciones abióticas sobre el tamaño de las bellotas de encinos en un área geográfica sin influencia de la historia de colonización postglacial. Descripción de datos. Se colectaron bellotas procedentes de siete poblaciones del encino blanco Quercus rugosa, abarcando la distribución de la especie en México. Sitio de estudio y fechas. México, 2009México, -2010 Resultados. La longitud de las bellotas, el ancho, la masa y el volumen difirieron significativamente entre las poblaciones y mostraron una marcada reducción latitudinal clinal en el tamaño de la bellota. Un modelo de regresión múltiple reveló que esta reducción en el tamaño (medido como volumen de bellota) puede explicarse por dos variables bioclimáticas importantes (precipitación en la temporada de crecimiento y días-grado por encima de 5 °C de la temporada de crecimiento), mientras que las variables espaciales (latitud y longitud) no fueron significativas. Adicionalmente, el porcentaje de germinación se correlacionó...

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Firewood and charcoal are used on a daily basis both in rural areas and in cities. This type of energy is produced by one of the most ancient traditional methods, known as coppice, which harvest tree sprouts. There is controversy about its effects on forests: it preserves populations and tree cover of species used, but reduces density, inhibits sexual reproduction and generates genetic erosion. We inquired if it was possible to identify a loss of genetic diversity in oak populations traditionally used for charcoal by the Zongolica Nahuas in Veracruz state, Mexico. We studied populations of Quercus laurina, Quercus calophylla and Quercus rugosa in three different altitudes. Molecular analysis with eight nuclear codominant microsatellites was performed to determine the diversity, structure and gene flow of these species. Results for Q.