Search

The intra- and inter-population and geographic differentiation ofAlnus incanawere examined biometrically on the basis of morphological character of the leaves. The study results only partly confirmed the assumption that Carpathian and Alpine populations of the species differ significantly. This may indicate that gene exchange continued during glacial periods as these regions were not sufficiently isolated from each other. The geographic variation of grey alder along the Balkans–Scandinavia axis is more eminent. It is debatable whetherA. incanahas migrated northwards from montane refugia, along Central European rivers, mostly the Vistula and Oder. It can be, however, noted that the Masurian, Sudetan and East Carpathian populations are similar to one another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]