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Current climate changes can led to a decline of local beech populations fully adapted to previous climate conditions. In this context, the issue of variation in adaptive traits becomes important. A field experiment with 18-year-old trees of Fagus sylvatica L. was conducted on provenance plot located in Tále (Central Slovakia), where physiological responses of five beech provenances originating from contrasting sites along an altitudinal gradient from 55 to 1100 m a.s.l. across the range of the natural beech distribution were studied. Stomatal characteristics, parameters of chlorophyll a fluorescence and gas exchange parameters were determined. Overall, we observed a significant increase in physiological performance at the leaf level with increasing altitude of origin. Provenances from the higher altitudes showed higher CO2 assimilation rate, stomatal density, potential conductance indices and photochemical efficiency, and lower capability for dissipation of energy by heat. A similar pattern of response was recorded in relation to the precipitation regime of sites of origin. Moreover, in the context of the temperature regime, several negative trends were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The timing of foliar budburst is an important component of the fitness of trees. Adaptation of budburst to local temperatures and phenotypic plasticity in the date of budburst to changes in temperature can therefore be expected. In this study, we analysed provenance trials of European beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) established over a wide geographic and climatic range in Europe. The analysis was based on a phenological model that represents the key processes at budburst phenology of temperate- and boreal zone deciduous trees. We conclude that adaptive differences exist between provenances in the critical chilling- and forcing requirements triggering budburst. Moreover, it is likely that these provenances show a plastic response to local environmental conditions for these two factors. Chilling- and forcing temperature requirements are key traits determining a tree’s response of the date of foliar budburst to temperature. We infer from our results that trees would be able to adjust this response when climatic conditions change. Implications for climate change assessment studies and suggestions to incorporate this second order phenotypic plasticity in phenological models are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, especially droughts, arising from on-going climate changes negatively affect productivity and stability of forest ecosystems. Understanding species responses and suitable ecotypes that are able of adapting to new environmental conditions is increasingly important. The objective of this study was to quantify the relationships between the inter-annual stem circumference increase (SCI) of five European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) provenances and weather variability during 2012-2014 in a provenance trial located in central Slovakia. SCIs were extracted on daily and weekly scale from hourly data of circumference changes. To detect the main environmental factors influencing SCI seasonal dynamics, intra-seasonal moving correlation functions were calculated. All five provenances responded synchronously to weather conditions, with high correlations among them during the growing season on both daily and weekly scale. The photoperiod exhibited a synchronizing effect on the seasonal peak of SCI as a sign of tree adaptation to long-term seasonal variations in climate. Temperature was the most significant factor influencing SCI dynamics at the beginning of the season. During the summer months, a precipitation deficit, heat waves and the consequently decreased soil water potential significantly affected the SCI of young beech trees, despite the fact that the provenance plot was situated in an area of optimum beech growth. Not only the severity and duration were important but also the timing of drought within a season. Within all seasons, the lowest SCI values were recorded for the provenance from the lowest altitude and the most oceanic climate (northern Germany). A comparison of daily and weekly SCI with first derivatives of growth functions indicated that SCIs were closely related to theoretical incremental processes, especially on a weekly scale. In young beech trees, SCI seemed to represent an appropriate proxy for studying intra-seasonal incremental processes. A newly designed SASB (self adjusting sharp beginning) function fit these processes better than the Gompertz function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is one of the most important tree species in Europe. Due to substantial genetic diversity and phenotypic plasticity, beech has successfully adapted to different environments within its natural range. Provenance tests provide a good basis for studying within- and between-provenance genetic variation, due to homogeneous within-trial environmental conditions. The aim of the present study was to determine the within- and between-provenance genetic variability of certain leaf morphological traits among eleven beech provenances, grown in a common garden experiment. Univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test for differences among the studied beech provenances. Principal component analysis (PCA) allowed a complex assessment of the relationships among the provenances and an estimation of multivariate relations among the analyzed characters. The results of the study revealed the existence of substantial variability among provenances (p<0.001). Likewise, high genetic variability was observed at the intra-provenance level (p<0.001). The first three principal components (PC1-PC3) explained approximately 81% of the total variance among the European beech provenances tested. The highest contribution on PC1 corresponded to variables related to leaf size: leaf area (-0.882) and leaf width (-0.876). Based on the position of provenances on a PCA scatter plot, it could be assumed that European beech is characterized by a more ecotypic pattern of genetic variation rather than by clinal variation. Also, the presence of considerable genetic diversity within provenances will be important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prolonged summer droughts constitute to a major risk for the cultivation of beech in Central Europe. Therefore the identification of beech ecotypes that cope with growth conditions expected in future is highly desirable for forest practitioners. In a pot experiment under controlled conditions, the influence of longterm water deprivation on growth, root/shoot ratio, nitrogen (N)- and carbon (C) assimilation of seedlings from 6 European beech ( Fagus sylvatica ) provenances, originating from Central Europe (Germany), the Balkan Peninsula (Croatia), and south-east Europe (Bulgaria, Greece) were examined. Genetic diversity and relationships between the provenances were analysed by molecular markers such as nuclear EST microsatellites (EST-SSRs), SNPs and chloroplast microsatellites. Genetic diversity within provenances was high and highlighted close relationships between plants from Greece, Croatia and Germany, whereas beech from Bavaria (Germany) seemed to be admixed with genotypes from Bulgaria. Significant changes in fine root δ 13 C and C/N ratio as well as the intrinsic Water Use Efficiency (iWUE) demonstrate a better adaptability to future environmental conditions of beech ecotypes genetically related to the Greek beech population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Works of the Faculty of Forestry University of Sarajevo is the property of Faculty of Forestry University of Sarajevo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Works of the Faculty of Forestry University of Sarajevo is the property of Faculty of Forestry University of Sarajevo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Beech seedlings originating from 11 German provenances with different climatic conditions were grown in pots and cultivated in a greenhouse. The composition of macro- and microelements in roots, axes and leaves was measured after half of the seedlings were subjected to a simulated summer drought. The recently described sensitivity of these provenances to drought was compared with drought-mediated changes in the elemental and ionic composition in organs of the seedlings; in addition, partitioning between roots and shoots was evaluated. A number of element concentrations were decreased in roots due to drought (K 94% of control, Mg 94%, Mn 75% and Zn 85%). However, chloride concentration increased in all organs (115–125%) and was the only element affected in leaves. Some changes in ionome can be related to sensitivity of provenances, but it is difficult to decide whether these changes are a result of, or a reason for, drought tolerance or sensitivity. Observed increases in chloride concentration in all plant parts of drought-treated beech seedlings can be explained by its function in charge balance, in particular since the level of phosphate was reduced. As a result of chloride accumulation, the sum of added charges of anions (and cations) in water extracts of leaf and root material was similar between drought and control plants. Since only the partitioning of Ca and Al (both only in axis) as well as Mn was affected and other elements (together with previously observed effects on C, N, S and P) remained unaffected by drought in all provenances, it can be concluded that direct effects by means of mass flow inhibition in xylem and phloem are unlikely. Secondary effects, for example on the pH of transport sap and the apoplastic space, cannot be excluded from the present study. These effects may affect partitioning between the apoplast and symplast and therefore may be significant for drought sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the variability of physiological parameters of five provenances of European beech (Fagus sylvatica), which were planted at two locations with different ecological conditions at Fruška Gora and Debeli Lug, was estimated. Provenance trials were established in the framework of COST Action E52: "Evaluation of Beech Genetic Resources for Sustainable Forestry". 2-3 years old seedlings originating from Croatia, Germany, Bosnia, Austria and Serbia were planted in blocks of fifty plants with a spacing of 2 x 1 m. Physiological parameters such as net photosynthesis, rate of transpiration and stomatal conductance were measured with a portable gas analysis system. Generally, provenances from Fruška Gora Mountain showed higher intensity of all physiological parameters than provenances located at site Debeli Lug. High correlations among rates of net photosynthesis and transpiration, on one side, and stomatal conductance, on the other side, were found. ANOVA test indicates that variability of net photosynthesis, transpiration and stomatal conductance of investigated provenances, at the two locations, was influenced both by environmental conditions of sites and genetic constitution of provenances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to determine whether there are genetic variations in growth and leaf phenology (flushing and senescence) among populations of six woody species (Abies alba Mill., Acer pseudoplatanus L., Fagus sylvatica L., Fraxinus excelsior L., Ilex aquifolium L., and Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) along altitudinal gradients, using a common-garden experiment. We found (i) significant differences in phenology and growth among provenances for most species and (ii) evidence that these among-population differences in phenology were related to the annual temperature at the provenance sites for ash, beech, and oak. It is noteworthy that along the same climatic gradient, species can exhibit opposing genetic clines: beech populations from high elevations flushed earlier than those from low elevations, whereas we observed the opposite trend for ash and oak. For most species, significant altitudinal clines for growth were also revealed. Finally, we highlighted the fact that both phenology timing and growth rate were highly consistent from year to year. The results demonstrated that despite the proximity of the populations in their natural area, differences in altitude led to genetic differentiation in their phenology and growth. These adaptive capacities acting along a natural climatic gradient could allow populations to cope with current climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A provenance experiment of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) was established in Croatia in 1998 as part of an international network of beech provenance trials. Of the 36 provenances present in the trial, six were selected for the presentation of a new method for assessing their adaptability: easternmost (Ukraine UK-59), westernmost (France F-5), northernmost (Sweden S-23), two southernmost (Croatia, easternmost CR-3 and westernmost CR-18) and one central (Czech Republic CZ-51). The selection was made by choosing the minimal number of most distant provenances from the area of the natural distribution range of beech. Flushing as an indicator of physiological character was monitored in seven phenophases, which were recorded on seven dates during the years 2000 and 2001. The differences in entering phenophase 3 (indicating the very beginning of flushing when plant is most sensitive to frost) were analysed using a product limit estimator. The six analysed provenances may be classified into three different groups: early flushing (CR-3, CZ-51), intermediate flushing (CR-18, UK-59) and late flushing (F-5, S-23). The provenances were then ranked with Analytical Hierarchy Process in order to select the most adaptable one using the following criteria: survival, date entering phenophase 3 and mean height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]