Adaptive Variation Of Trembling Aspen In Northwestern Ontario

"To demonstrate the pattern of adaptive variation of Populus tremuloides (Michx.) to northwestern Ontario climate conditions, a statistical analysis was completed of growth and phenology variables from 26 provenances. Growth variables included: height measured in 1999, 2000, 2003 and 2004; stem diameter measured in 1999, 2000 and 2002; leader length measured in 2000; and, leaf flushing measured in 2000. Adaptive variation was summarized by four principal component (PC) axes modeled by climate variables at seed origin that explained 41.5, 15.8, 10.0 and 6.3 percent of the growth and phenology variation among provenances. A clinal pattern of adaptive variation in leaf flushing predicted by temperature in the growing season was demonstrated by the first PC axis. The second PC axis was strongly influenced by growth data at one test site (Dog River) and showed a weak latitudinal trend related to winter temperature and precipitation at the start of the growing season. A longitudinal pattern of adaptive variation in growth and chlorophyll florescence variables predicted by July precipitation was demonstrated in PC axis 3. A latitudinal trend was shown for PC axis 4 where adaptive variation was expressed through a combination of winter temperatures and June mean temperature that predicted leader length and height potential together with October frost hardiness. The pattern of adaptive variation indicated significant genetic variation among trembling aspen provenances over a relatively small region."-- from abstract.

Assisted migration of tree species populations, or seed sources, is one of few adaptive strategies available to mitigate the projected effects of climate change on the structure, productivity, and distribution of forest ecosystems. In this report, the authors present the goals and objectives of a study intiated in 2008 to assess the potential of assisted migration as an adaptation strategy to manage for climate change in Ontario. In support of this study, they conducted a literature search on assisted migration and genetic variation in climatic response of forest tree species, through which were identified several hundred related scientific and technical publications. Citations and keywords for publications of greatest significance to using assisted migration as a climate change adaptation strategy are presented in the accompanying bibliography.--Document.

The large aspen tortrix (Choristoneura conflictana) is an occasional defoliator of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) in western Canada. Research suggests that there might be a narrow phenological window for successful tortrix colonization of aspen buds in the spring. This paper adapts a stochastic model to describe the temporal relationship between C. conflictana and trembling aspen phenologies. The first characterization of the phenological stages occurring during bud-break and leaf expansion of trembling aspen is provided, as determined from observations at two sites in 1994. Degree-day models based on a common threshold temperature are developed for both insect and bud and shoot development of its host. The influence of changes in the sequence of temporal events on the success or failure of tortrix populations is also discussed.

Conifer Cold Hardiness provides an up-to-date synthesis by leading scientists in the study of the major physiological and environmental factors regulating cold hardiness of conifer tree species. This state-of-the-art reference comprehensively explains current understanding of conifer cold hardiness ranging from the gene to the globe and from the highly applied to the very basic. Topics addressed encompass cold hardiness from the perspectives of ecology, ecophysiology, acclimation and deacclimation, seedling production and reforestation, the impacts of biotic and abiotic factors, and methods for studying and analyzing cold hardiness. The content is relevant to geneticists, ecologists, stress physiologists, environmental and global change scientists, pathologists, advanced nursery and silvicultural practitioners, and graduate students involved in plant biology, plant physiology, horticulture and forestry with an interest in cold hardiness.

In 2000-01, aspen decline was observed over large areas of north-east Ontario. This study analyzes the bioclimatic characteristics of the areas affected and suggests potential causes of the decline. The bioclimatic characteristics analyzed include forest tent caterpillar defoliation; drought history; forest composition, age, & structure; and soil quality.