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.

Corylus avellana L. (hazel) is a long-lived, monoecious and wind-pollinated shrub species, widespread all over Europe. In Germany, hazel is intensively traded and planted, and thus is of central interest from a nature conservancy point of view. To assess the within-and between-population differentiation of hazel, 20 natural populations (18 from Germany, one from Italy and one from Hungary) were investigated genetically. Seven isozyme systems comprising 11 gene loci were analysed in up to 100 samples (average 92.6) per population, amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) were analysed in up to 50 samples (average 47.4) and nine cpDNA-SSR markers were assessed in 20 samples per population. Results for overall isozyme variability with Na 2.46 alleles per locus, allelic diversity (Ne) 1.39, expected heterozygosity He 21 % and 79 % polymorphic loci were in accordance with the findings of previous studies. The respective values for AFLPs were lower, but both marker systems revealed the same level of about 3.5 % differentiation between populations. For cpSSR only the Italian sample showed within-population variation and the two haplotypes were completely differentiated from all other populations expressing a unique genetic structure with one single haplotype. Among the three marker systems AFLPs showed the best ability to differentiate between populations. While only one isozyme locus revealed significant differentiation, 41 AFLP loci showed highly significant differentiation between all populations, but 26 loci when only German populations were considered. Consequently geographic differentiation analyses focused mainly on molecular markers. Mantel tests showed significant correlations between genetic and geographic distance, but in the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean analyses, adjacent populations did not always form clusters. While chloroplast markers were able to clearly distinguish only the Hungarian population, the nuclear

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Well-adapted, high quality reproductive material is key to the success of forest plantations. Consequently in many countries the collection and trade of forest reproductive material is regulated. Paper documents are usually the only evidence for the origin of forest reproductive material. Certification schemes already established in Germany use genetic inventories to compare reference samples collected at different steps of the chain-ofcustody. A new approach using DNA-fingerprints efficiently controls the origin of seed sources without these multiple reference samples. Only a sample of adult trees within the seed stands is needed. The control is directly made for each suspicious plant or a group of suspicious plants by use of multilocus genotype assignment. We made a field test with samples of adults and seedling from 5 registered seed stands of Quercus robur in Western Germany. Eight highly variable nuclear microsatellites were used to genotype each individual. We found in total 255 different alleles at all loci in the adult populations. The observed levels of genetic variation (Ae= 9.18), genetic differentiation (delta = 0.187) and population fixation (FST= 0.01) were slightly higher than results of similar studies. Individual and group assignment tests were performed with the Bayesian multi-locus approach. The proportion of correctly assigned seedlings was 65% for individuals with completely scored genotypes. In all 5 cases the groups of seedlings were assigned to the correct seed stand and an additional sample of seedlings from another stand could be successfully excluded with a probability test. The conclusion of the field study is that a large scale application of this new approach to control of the origin of forest reproductive material is feasible.

Genetic diversity strongly influences populations' adaptability to changing environments and therefore survival. Sustainable forest management practices have multiple roles including conservation of genetic resources and timber production. In this study, we aimed at better understanding the variation in genetic diversity among adult and offspring individuals, and the effects of mating system on offspring survival and growth in wild cherry, Prunus avium. We analysed adult trees and open pollinated seed-families from three stands in Germany at eight microsatellite loci and one incompatibility system locus and conducted paternity analyses. Seed viability testing and seed sowing in a nursery allowed further testing for the effects of pollen donor diversity and genetic similarity between mates on the offspring performance at the seed and seedling stages. Our results were contrasting across stands. Loss of genetic diversity from adult to seedling stages and positive effect of mate diversity on offspring performance occurred in one stand only, whereas biparental inbreeding depression and significant decrease in fixation index from adults to seedlings was detected in two stands. We discussed the effects of stand genetic diversity on the magnitude of biparental inbreeding depression at several life-stages and its consequences on the management of genetic resources in P. avium.

Slavonian oaks (Quercus robur subsp. slavonica (Gáyer) Mátyás) originating from Croatia have been cultivated in Germany mainly in the Münsterland region of North Rhine-Westphalia since the second half of the nineteenth century. Compared to indigenous pedunculate oak stands in Germany, they are characterised by their late bud burst, but also by their excellent bole shape and faster height growth. Previously, Slavonian pedunculate oaks (= late flushing oaks) were mainly studied at chloroplast (cp) DNA markers in order to determine their geographical origin. The origin of the material is probably the Sava lowland between Zagreb and Belgrade. In the present study, the aim was to genetically differentiate between indigenous Quercus robur and Slavonian oak stands using nuclear DNA markers. For this purpose, we used 20 nuclear Simple Sequence Repeats (nSSRs). A total of 37 pedunculate oak stands (mean: 18.6 samples per population with an age of 95 to 210 years) were examined, of which 21 were characterized as Slavonian late flushing oaks and three stands for which the Slavonian origin was not clear. Maternally inherited chloroplast markers were analysed earlier in all 37 stands to validate their geographic origin. We found that the stands of native pedunculate oaks and Slavonian pedunculate oaks are represented by two genetic clusters which are weakly differentiated. Slavonian oaks (Na = 9.85, Ar = 8.689, Ho = 0.490, He = 0.540) showed similar levels of genetic variation as native oak stands (Na = 7.850, Ar = 7.846, Ho = 0.484, He = 0.526). Differences in growth and phenology and low but consistent genetic differentiation between groups suggest that both taxa represent different ecotypes with specific local adaptations, which are perhaps separated by less overlapping flowering phenologies. The nuclear microsatellite markers in combination with the cpDNA markers are suitable to differentiate between Slavonian and local oak stands.

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