Time to get moving: assisted gene flow of forest trees.

ABSTRACT: Geographic variation in trees has been investigated since the mid-18th century. Similar patterns of clinal variation have been observed along latitudinal and elevational gradients in common garden experiments for many temperate and boreal species. These studies convinced forest managers that a 'local is best' seed source policy was usually safest for reforestation. In recent decades, experimental design, phenotyping methods, climatic data and statistical analyses have improved greatly and refined but not radically changed knowledge of clines. The maintenance of local adaptation despite high gene flow suggests selection for local adaptation to climate is strong. Concerns over maladaptation resulting from climate change have motivated many new genecological and population genomics studies; h

SUBMITTER: Aitken SN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4780373 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature