Genetic diversity of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] in Romanian Carpathians

High elevation sites in the low mountain ranges in Germany are naturally covered by Norway spruce (Picea abies (Karst.) L.) stands. Historically, large scale anthropogenic range expansion starting in the mid to late 18th century had a huge impact on the forest composition throughout Germany. Utilisation and exploitation often led to artificial regeneration, mostly carried out using seeds from allochthonous provenances. Usually, autochthonous (natural) high elevation Norway spruce trees have narrow crown phenotypes, whereas lowland trees have broader crowns. Narrow crown phenotypes are likely the result of adaptation to heavy snow loads combined with high wind speeds. In the present study, neighbouring stand pairs of putative autochthonous and allochthonous origin with contrasting phenotypes in high elevation sites were investigated with 200 samples each. These stands are located in the Ore Mountains, the Thuringian Forest, and the Harz Mountains. Additionally, a relict population with the typical narrow high elevation phenotypes was sampled in Thuringia, known as “Schlossbergfichte”. The objective of the study was to quantify supposedly adaptive phenotypic differences in crown architecture and the genetic differentiation of 11 putatively neutral nuclear microsatellite markers (i.e., simple sequence repeats (nSSRs)). The high differentiation of morphological traits (PST = 0.952–0.989) between the neighbouring autochthonous and allochthonous stands of similar age contrasts with the very low neutral genetic differentiation (FST = 0.002–0.007; G″ST = 0.002–0.030), suggesting that directional selection at adaptive gene loci was involved in phenotypic differentiation. Comparing the regions, a small isolation by distance effect for the Harz Mountains was detected, suggesting landscape resistance restricting gene flow. Finally, the differentiation of the very old autochthonous (up to 250 years) stand “Schlossbergfichte” with typical high elevation phenotypes could cohere with the sampling of a relict genepool.

Section: Genetic Variation and Differentiationcontrasting

confidence: 58%

High Morphological Differentiation in Crown Architecture Contrasts with Low Population Genetic Structure of German Norway Spruce Stands

Caré

Müller

Vornam

et al. 2018

“…However, other Carpathian and local seedlots showed poor performance (Figure 3), confirming previously noticed possible variation within one region as wide as between distant origins [14] due to high genetic variation [12]. Good adaptation of transferred provenances might depend on sufficient genetic diversity, which, for the Norway spruce populations in the Carpathian Mountains in Ukraine and Romania, were reported to be moderate to high, with no significant differences regarding altitude [51,52]. Similar to our results, both the most productive transferred Central European seedlots and the best performing local provenances were reported to show similar growth in long-term trials in Southeast Norway [53].…”

Section: Provenance Effect On Growth Performancesupporting

confidence: 84%

Adaptation Capacity of Norway Spruce Provenances in Western Latvia

Zeltiņš

Katrevičs

Gailis

et al. 2019

In Europe, numerous Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) provenance trials have been established and evaluated at a juvenile age. Still, information about the adaptation potential and long-term fitness of transferred seedlots in the Baltic Sea region is lacking. The aim of the study was to evaluate the adaptation capacity of provenances and assess the patterns of their long-term reaction to environmental transfer. We examined a 32-year-old provenance trial in the mild Baltic Sea coastal climate of Western Latvia. Significant differences in height and stem volume were observed among provenances. Growth superiority for certain local and Carpathian provenances was maintained over more than one-third of the rotation period. The best predictor of climate transfer functions was minimum temperature of the coldest month at the place of origin, explaining 28% variation in tree height. Populations from sites with more frost days and a colder mean annual temperature, minimum temperature, and lower annual heat-moisture index than the planting site were generally taller.

“…A low level of overall genetic differentiation found between three out of the five of the studied populations (supported by F st , UPGMA, and Structure analysis) may result from combined effect of different factors, such as outcrossing rate, reproductive system, and high rate of pollen-mediated gene flow in this species [45]. Namely, due to low average pollen grain weight and low sedimentation velocity [48], pollen from coniferous tree species can travel tens or hundreds of kilometers, providing gene flow across a wide distribution area [50].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

“…Nuclear microsatellites have been extensively employed in studying genetic variation of coniferous tree species [12,[43][44][45][46]. In the present study, genetic variation within and between populations and their genetic structure were analyzed in five natural populations of Norway spruce from Serbia, using eight EST-SSR markers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Genetic Diversity and Population Genetic Structure of Norway Spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karsten) at Its Southern Lineage in Europe. Implications for Conservation of Forest Genetic Resources

Stojnić

Avramidou²,

Fussi

et al. 2019

In the present paper we studied the genetic diversity and genetic structure of five Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karsten) natural populations situated in Serbia, belonging to the southern lineage of the species at the southern margin of the species distribution range. Four populations occur as disjunct populations on the outskirts of the Dinaric Alps mountain chain, whereas one is located at the edge of Balkan Mountain range and, therefore, can be considered as ecologically marginal due to drier climatic conditions occurring in this region. Due to the negative effect of biotic and abiotic stress factors, the sustainability of these populations is endangered, making conservation of their genetic resources one of the key measures of Norway spruce persistence in Serbia under climatic changes. The insight on genetic diversity and genetic structure of the studied spruce populations can provide the information required for the initiation of programs aimed at the conservation and utilization of spruce genetic resources at the rear edge of species environmental limits. Norway spruce genetic variation and population genetic structure were estimated using eight EST-SSR markers. The results showed that mean expected heterozygosity was 0.616 and allelic richness 10.22. Genetic differentiation among populations was low (F st = 0.007). No recent bottleneck effect or isolation by distance were detected. Bayesian clustering, obtained with STRUCTURE, grouped the populations into two genetic clusters, whereas UPGMA analysis distinguished three main groups approximately in line with the geographic area of occurrence. Based on the study results and the EUFORGEN Pan-European strategy for genetic conservation of forest trees, the establishment of additional dynamic gene conservation units must be considered in Serbia in order to protect the adaptive and neutral genetic diversity of the species.