Adaptive and plastic responses of Quercus petraea populations to climate across Europe.

ABSTRACT: How temperate forests will respond to climate change is uncertain; projections range from severe decline to increased growth. We conducted field tests of sessile oak (Quercus petraea), a widespread keystone European forest tree species, including more than 150 000 trees sourced from 116 geographically diverse populations. The tests were planted on 23 field sites in six European countries, in order to expose them to a wide range of climates, including sites reflecting future warmer and drier climates. By assessing tree height and survival, our objectives were twofold: (i) to identify the source of differential population responses to climate (genetic differentiation due to past divergent climatic selection vs. plastic responses to ongoing climate change) and (ii) to explore which climatic v

SUBMITTER: Saenz-Romero C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5624497 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature