Adaptive Diversity of Beech Seedlings Under Climate Change Scenarios

Abstract

The ability of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) populations to adapt to the ongoing climate change is especially important in the southern part of Europe, where environmental change is expected to be more intense. In this study, we tested the existing adaptive potential of eight beech populations from two provenances in N.E. Greece (Evros and Drama) that show differences in their environmental conditions and biogeographical background. Seedling survival, growth and leaf phenological traits were selected as adaptive traits and were measured under simulated controlled climate change conditions in a growth chamber. Seedling survival was also tested under current conditions in the field. In the growth chamber, simulated conditions of temperature and precipitation for the year 2050 were applied for 3 years, under two different irrigation schemes, where the same amount of water was distributed either frequently (once every week) or non-frequently (once in 20 days). The results showed that beech seedlings were generally able to survive under climate change conditions and showed adaptive differences among provenances and populations. Furthermore, changes in the duration of the growing season of seedlings were recorded in the growth chamber, allowing them to avoid environmental stress and high selection pressure. Differences were observed between populations and provenances in terms of temporal distribution patterns of precipitation and temperature, rather than the average annual or monthly values of these measures. Additionally, different adaptive strategies appeared among beech seedlings when the same amount of water was distributed differently within each month. This indicates that the physiological response mechanisms of beech individuals are very complex and depend on several interacting parameters. For this reason, the choice of beech provenances for translocation and use in afforestation or reforestation projects should consider the small scale ecotypic diversity of the species and view multiple environmental and climatic parameters in connection to each other.

Phenological Plasticity and Adaptive Potential of Sugar Maple Populations

“…In this study, we observed a high contribution of residuals to the variance in bud phenology, which is in agreement with previous studies (Sole-Medina et al 2020; Varsamis et al 2018). This large heterogeneity in phenology unexplained by our factors may suggest a high variability among individuals (Perrin et al 2017), in addition to the potential effect of microsite conditions and sampling errors during eld observations.…”

Indications of Genetic Admixture in the Transition Zone between Fagus sylvatica L. and Fagus sylvatica ssp. orientalis Greut. & Burd

“…Auxin-response factors have been shown to be involved in abiotic adaptation (e.g., precipitation/drought, bud burst) in different tree species [44][45][46][47], and it has been proposed that beech morphology is related to environmental conditions at its growing sites [7,17]. Furthermore, Varsamis et al [48] detected significant differences in adaptive traits such as bud burst timing and survival under drought conditions between beech populations from West and East Rodopi in a provenance test and a growth chamber experiment. Thus, this locus may be involved in adaptation in F. sylvatica and F. orientalis.…”

Grow slowly, persist, dominate—Explaining beech dominance in a primeval forest

“…In our study, we did not observe growth reduction, as LAR was still able to support both growth and storage, hence lethal carbon starvation could not be assumed. However, unlike trees in the canopy, young trees do not have the opportunity to replenish NSC reserves in autumn (Hoch et al, 2003) because leaf senescence of trees and regeneration occurs at same time (Varsamis et al, 2019;Vitasse et al, 2009). Therefore, the NSC reserves of young trees may decrease for decades, eventually leading to tree death.…”