Affiliation:
1. Technical University in Zvolen, Faculty of Forestry, TG Masaryka 24, 96053 Zvolen, Slovakia
Abstract
European beech is an ecologically and commercially important species, which is expected to decline in several regions because of heat and drought stress associated with climate change. Knowledge of the genetic basis of the adaptation to climate is needed to guide assisted migration. Genetic variation at 1704 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) resulting from ddRAD sequencing, primarily located in gene exons, was studied in 181 specimens representing 123 populations distributed over most of the whole range. Bayesian analysis of population structure yielded two clusters exhibiting a clear longitudinal cline and correlated with indicators of low temperatures and temperature fluctuation. Five SNPs were significantly associated with climatic variables related primarily to heat and temperature ranges. Two alternative explanations are offered for the observed response patterns: (i) differential sensitivity to heat and (ii) response mediated by vegetative phenology.
Funder
Slovak Research and Development Agency
Slovak Grant Agency for Science
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