Exotic Abies Species in Czech Provenance Trials: Assessment after Four Decades

Abstract

The growth of seven exotic true fir (Abies) species and native Abies alba have been compared in three provenance trials in the Czech Republic, at the relatively advanced ages of 44, 38, and 35 years respectively. A clear differentiation is observable between the species. The closely related species group of A. alba and A. cephalonica appears rather heterogeneous in its phenotypic behavior. A. alba provenances show superiority, but also a high differentiation. Productivity of provenances of A. cephalonica fall behind A. alba; however A. cilicica and A. pinsapo provenances have shown total mortality. The high potential of A. grandis is confirmed by outstanding growth; provenances from the coastal plain in Washington State performed best. A. procera grows slower than A. grandis, but still faster than A. alba provenances. Health risks, extreme ecologic distances of transfer, trend shifts of growth rate, and rank change with age are uncertainties that require necessary caution when selecting provenances for importation. In recent years, public and institutional perceptions concerning the introduction of non-native tree species and provenances has shifted, and the practice is no longer seen as necessarily inappropriate.

Common garden comparisons confirm inherited differences in sensitivity to climate change between forest tree species

“…Evolutionary genetic and ecophysiological background, and, thus, adaptive strategy, appear to differ between species, making simple generalizations difficult. Even within closely related species, such as those of the genus Abies , the between-species differences in plasticity measured in common gardens are considerable (Frydl et al, 2018). The plasticity of adaptive specialists, with a high between-population variance for adaptive traits, may result in higher levels of sensitivity to climatic conditions, as in Norway spruce.…”

Climatic Sensitivity Profile of <em>Abies</em> Species – A Key to Their Future Role in the Adaptive Silviculture of Central-Southeast Europe

“…This study aimed to investigate in detail the climate sensitivity of fir species and the prospects of adaptive measures. Results of three provenance trials of fir species in the Czech Republic have recently been published [1]. The specific value of the data, measured at early-mature age, justified a closer investigation of the phenotypic response of populations to climatic transfer.…”

“…Thus, the task was to interpret height growth of Abies species and provenances in the setting of changed climatic environments. In detail: (1) to select a climatic indicator to characterize the measured response differentiation; (2) to investigate the role of past and current climatic environments shaping the phenotypic response observed in the trials; (3) to analyze species-specific variation of climate sensitivity and resilience; and (4) to assess the future role of fir species in adaptive silviculture, in view of the projected climatic changes.…”

“…from the Pacific Coast Range, with a native silver fir control (Table 3). Geographic data and maps of the populations' provenance, as well as historic and site details of the trials, are described in the publication of Frýdl and co-authors [1].…”

“…All the more, some studies suggest the species as a potential alternative to the more vulnerable Norway spruce [12,13]. Introducing non-native species of the genus Abies that possess higher drought tolerance as a viable course of action against the backdrop of 'wicked' climate projections has also garnered increasing attention [14,1]. To strengthen the resilience of forest ecosystems through the introduction of preadapted populations and even exotic species is an ultimate -and still debated -option [15].…”