Drought-adaptation potential in Fagus sylvatica: linking moisture availability with genetic diversity and dendrochronology.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Microevolution is essential for species persistence especially under anticipated climate change scenarios. Species distribution projection models suggested that the dominant tree species of lowland forests in Switzerland, European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), might disappear from most areas due to expected longer dry periods. However, if genotypes at the moisture boundary of the species climatic envelope are adapted to lower moisture availability, they can serve as seed source for the continuation of beech forests under changing climates.

Methodology/principal findings

With an AFLP genome scan approach, we studied neutral and potentially adaptive genetic variation in Fagus sylvatica in three regions containing a dry and a mesic site each (n(ind.) = 241, n(markers) 

SUBMITTER: Pluess AR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3308988 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature