Abstract. The genetic diversity of Romanian most important coniferous tree species, the Norway spruce, was estimated by means of allozyme markers. A total of 695 adult trees sampled from eleven populations grouped in six mountainous areas in the Romanian Carpathians were analyzed. In three metapopulations (Maramureş, Postăvar and Parâng), to evaluate the influence of altitudinal gradient on genetic diversity, samples were collected from populations located at high and low altitude. At other location (Apuseni Mountains) we compared the narrow-crown biotype (Picea abies var. columnaris) and the pyramidal crown biotype (Picea abies var. pyramidalis) and explored the genetic structure of peat bog ecotype. By analyzing 7 enzyme systems and 12 enzyme coding loci, a total of 38 allelic variants have been detected. The mean value of polymorphic loci for the six sites was 86.1%, ranging between 83.3% and 91.7% and the mean expected heterozygosity was 0.115, resulting in a moderate level of genetic diversity. The highest genetic diversity (H e = 0.134) was found in the narrow-crown spruce population. Apuseni metapopulation showed the highest genetic diversity (H e = 0.125), being the most valuable for conservation of genetic resources. The small value of fixation index (F ST = 0.009) indicates a low genetic differentiation between the six sites and AMOVA test revealed a very high level of genetic diversity within population (99%). Comparative analysis of genetic parameters showed small differences between high and low altitude populations at each site, probably due to the neutral character of the markers analyzed and the effect of gene flow between gradiental populations.
The research objective was to demonstrate the economic impact of using, in afforestation, forest reproductive materials (FRMs) obtained from seed trees selected in the most valuable Norway spruce populations of the FGRs’ (forest genetic resources’) category. The values obtained for the main growth traits (diameter at breast height (Dbh), tree height (Th), and tree volume (Tv)), both in the FGR and in the closest population (with the same age and growth in similar environmental conditions), were compared. Three comparative trials were analyzed, each belonging to different breeding levels: Open-pollinated (Breţcu, 40 years old), half-sib (Măneciu, 25 years), and full-sib (Comandău, 23 years). The difference in volume/hectare between the FGR and an unimproved neighbor population was economically quantified (€), based on the average price per cubic meter (m3) of spruce wood in Romania; the profit at the end of the rotation period (110 years) was projected taking into account the genetic gain that will result from the use of FRM collected from the FGRs. The average FGR growth results were superior to the unimproved neighbor populations, with 8%–13%, 14%–25%, and 26%–79% for Dbh, Th, and volume/ha, respectively, and the differences increased if the best 10% seed trees of the trials were used. For Th, a five times higher family mean heritability was registered for the pendula trees (compared to pyramidalis) in the half-sib trial, while in the full-sib experiment, the pendula trees (both full and half pendula) again registered higher heritability, but for Dbh, which recommends the pendula selection for different traits in the two trials. These results have led to a rate of profitability between 540 and 3366 €/ha, a value that is predicted to increase until the end of the rotation period, when the genetic gain could generate a profit of 7560 €/ha.
Climate change’s negative effects, such as rising global temperatures and the disruption of global ecological ecosystems as a direct effect of rising carbon emissions in the atmosphere, are a significant concern for human health, communities, and ecosystems. The condition and presence of forest ecosystems, especially those in peri-urban areas, play an essential role in mitigating the negative effects of climate change on society. They provide direct benefits to the residents of large cities and their surrounding areas, and they must be managed sustainably to protect all their component ecosystems. This research was carried out in the forests of Lunca Muresului Natural Park and Bazos Arboretum, located in the Romanian sector of the Pannonian Plain, near urban agglomerations. The results showed high variability in the stands. Using the height-to-diameter ratio indicator concerning dbh and species, a strong Pearson correlation was registered (between 0.45 and 0.82). These values indicate the high stability of these stands, providing positive human–nature interactions such as recreational or outdoor activities (and a complementary yet indirect use value through attractive landscape views). Protecting these ecosystems offers a so-called insurance policy for the next generations from a climate change standpoint.
The aim of our study was to analyze the stability traits between 33 Norway spruce provenances tested in five field trials across different environmental conditions, in two major variants of the Romanian Carpathians: outside of the natural distribution range (ONR) and in the natural habitat (INR). To justify the early selection, we selected 40-year-old trees and measured tree height (Th), breast height diameter, pruning height, crown diameter, tree volume, tree slenderness (Ts), pruning height ratio, and crown slenderness, which were then compared on a time series with measurements from trees at 30 and 10 years old, respectively. All provenances reacted to the changes in the environmental conditions, presenting higher Th in the warmer ONR environments, compared with the results of the mountain INR trials, with negative consequences on the stand's stability. In all trials, highly significant differences resulted between, and especially within provenances, suggesting a high potential for adaptation in the future climate change scenario. An analysis of the stability traits suggests that we must avoid ONR afforestation with Norway spruce. All the elite provenances (Marginea, Gurghiu, Comandău, and Sudrigiu), together with Câmpeni and Turda, were highlighted, both for the stability and growth traits, whereas the local provenances and the standard IUFRO provenance were ranked below the average of the trials. The age-age significant correlations and the ranking of the provenances show that no major changes occurred in the last ten years, confirming the backward selection performed at the age of 30 years. The juvenile–mature correlations were also strong but the different evolutions in time of the elite provenances eliminate the possibility of a juvenile selection. The forward selection strategy, for the best trees belonging to the six mentioned provenances, according to Ts, can be applied in the INR trials.
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