Population differentiation of the lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana) complex in Alberta: growth, survival, and responses to climate

Abstract

Growth and survival of 33 populations from a species complex involving interior lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) and jack pine ( Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and their natural hybrids in Alberta were evaluated at ages 5, 10, and 15 years in eight test sites across Alberta. We determined population differentiations by estimating Mahalanobis distances between populations from the canonical discriminant analysis of the total variability and by calculating dissimilarity indexes between populations from the quadratic regression of overall growth and survival on the overall climate. The grouping of the populations based on the Mahalanobis distances showed that most jack pine populations could be separated from lodgepole and hybrid populations, but no further subdivision was possible to distinguish lodgepole from hybrid populations. This clustering pattern was remarkably similar to the grouping based on molecular markers as shown in our earlier study. This pattern of grouping is best explained by a clear elevational demarcation between jack pine at low elevations and lodgepole pine and hybrids at midrange and high elevations. The grouping of the populations based on the dissimilarity indexes revealed a somewhat contrasting pattern; most lodgepole pine populations were in one group, whereas jack pine and hybrid populations were mixed up in the other group. The two contrasting patterns of grouping suggest that nonclimatic factors such as edaphic preference and habitat disturbances are also important in determining population distributions and niche spaces in the lodgepole – jack pine complex.

Pattern of genotype–environment interaction in Picea glauca (Moench) Voss in Alberta, Canada

“…4) is an exception. Provenances such as 32 and 48 from between 1,300 m and 1,600 m a.s.l grew better than local provenances at site D. Based on performance of these provenances elsewhere and results of similar studies in other species (e.g., Rweyongeza et al 2007b), it is unusual for a high-elevation population to outgrow local populations at an elevation of about 500 to 800 m below its origin. Thus, possible mislabelling for some of high elevation provenances at site D during site establishment was suspected but could not be corroborated from the establishment records.…”

Adaptation of lodgepole pine and interior spruce to climate: implications for reforestation in a warming world

“…; Rweyongeza et al. , ) suggest that geographic restrictions to seed transfer on a relatively broad scale are sufficient. We propose that seed zone delineations for genetically improved planting stock would be appropriate to use with seed from natural stands as well.…”

Strategies for Reforestation under Uncertain Future Climates: Guidelines for Alberta, Canada

“…Forest trees are normally adapted to broad environmental gradients with substantial within-population genetic diversity [35]. Recent data from genetic provenance experiments suggests that genetic differentiation of tree populations in Alberta would occur at a much broader scale than the current seed zone delineations [3], [36], [37]. As such data from long-term trials become available for more species, general seed zones could be consolidated into larger units to ease the administrative and logistical burden of maintaining many separate seed collections for reforestation needs.…”