TITLE:
Assessing effects of seed source and transfer potential of white birch populations using transfer functions
AUTHORS:
Oluwatobi A. Oke, Jian R. Wang
KEYWORDS:
Climate Change; Populations; Common Garden; Transfer Function
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.3 No.5,
September
20,
2013
ABSTRACT: Trees have adapted to their local climates, but with changes in the
climate, they may currently or in the near future occupy climates that are
sub-optimal for growth and survival. The goal of current reforestation is
therefore to establish a new generation of trees with growth adapted to the future
climate(s). Here, we present preliminary data of a study assessing the effects
of seed source and transfer potential of white birch populations. Seeds from
twenty-five white birch (Betula
papyrifera Marsh.) populations collected acrossCanadawere grown in the greenhouse
and observed for emergence time, germination and growth. The seedlings were
later planted in a common garden. After one year, the seedlings were measured
for height, root-collar diameter (RCD) and survival rate and average volume per
seedling calculated. Transfer functions were used to estimate the climatic
distance from which populations may be transferred to the test site. There was
a significant effect of population on all growth variables. Initial height was
positively correlated with 1-year height and survival. Germination rate negatively correlated with emergence time.
Principal component analysis showed effects of seed origin on performances of
the populations in the common garden. Summer temperature was the best predictor
of the transfer distance.