Climate Change and Seed Transfer Research
OverviewProvenance research in the B.C. Forest Service has a long and important history. Most of the initial provenance trials were established under the auspices of the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO), which were large scale collections of commercially important species such as Douglas-fir, Sitka spruce and lodgepole pine. Additional provenance testing has been established for almost all other commercial and many minor species, which has been instrumental in our ability to develop seed transfer guidelines, identify superior provenances, and delineate breeding zone boundaries. They also now form the basis of our large effort in predicting and mitigating the impacts of climate change on species and seedlot choices in the future (e.g., see Climate Change and Seed Transfer Research).
Below are highlights from a few of our programs. For more information on the status of provenance research, contact the scientists responsible for each species. All Hemlock Seed Planning Units - Seed Transfer Concerns (Charlie Cartwright)Further gains from the hemlock breeding program may be achieved through expansion of the area where material genetically superior in growth traits may be safely planted. Current seed transfer limits are set based on older information from other species plus hemlock trials established for other purposes. The progeny tests that compare the field performance of different parent trees are not experimentally designed to address this question. Smaller, simpler dedicated seed transfer (provenance) trials provide best information when many of the test trees are adversely impacted by the harshness of the environment. This establishes the level of adaptation of high gain materials to sites beyond where they have been tested in family trials. Due to the complexity of B.C.'s climate and topography, about 35 small hemlock seed transfer tests comprised of wild stand and tested seed sources have been widely dispersed in BC over the last ten years. Annually a subset of these trials is maintained and measured, including 4 brushed and 4 measured this year. Patience is required, however, since revision of seed transfer boundaries cannot be undertaken with confidence until plants have been exposed to a range of environments for at least 10 years. Lodgepole Pine Provenance Update - (Michael Carlson, Nicholas Ukrainetz)Lodgepole pine has been the focal species of the provenance research program over the past several years: updating its seed transfer guidelines, developing empirical models, predicting quantitative relationships between growth and climate variables, and analyzing pest data to guide selection of resistant seed sources. Seed transfer guidelines of lodgepole pine are updated according to the cumulative provenance testing results. Transfer of natural seed sources will depend on both geographic and climatic differences between the source and planting locations, with emphasis on directional transfer from east to west and low to high elevation. Seed planning zones are realigned to improve overlay between genetic patterns of geographic variation and biogeoclimatic classification, and to minimize negative impacts associated with predicted climate change over the rotation. To take advantage of the extensive lodgepole pine
provenance tests and the massive amount of growth data generated, a study was
done that constructed empirical models to quantify mechanistic correlations
between climate variables and growth & yield, with the ultimate goal to
establish the quantitative relationship of plantation forests for sequestering
atmospheric CO2. The study was done in cooperation with Dr. G.
Rehfeldt (USDA Forest Service, Emeritus) and Dr. D. Spittlehouse (Research
Branch). The resulting models had high predictability using climate variables
such as mean annual temperature, mean temperature in the coldest month, or mean
summer precipitation, to predict growth of seed sources in relation to
environmental gradients within the species’ natural range in Considerable effort has been directed to analyze the pest data from the lodgepole pine provenance tests. We have identified provenances highly resistant to western gall rust (Endocronartium harknessii) and needle cast (Lophodermella concolor); these provenances also exhibit high level stability across diverse site environments (low provenance x site interaction). We are continuing the analyses to quantify the effect of these diseases on growth. Research into hypersensitive resistance to mountain pine beetle is also ongoing. Unfortunately, a number of provenance trials suffered total or substantial mortality as a result of the recent beetle outbreak, but proactive measures ensured that many others were spared. True Firs (Charlie Cartwright, Doug Ashbee)Amabilis fir There were 4 amabilis fir sites planted in 2002 and 8 tests planted in 2003, most of which have had some site maintenance to promote survival and growth. One trial near Hope was destroyed by wildfire, and a second was rendered inaccessible due to a bridge out. The first field data has been collected and evaluated. Replacement planting of the site that burned and fill planting of the other sites was done. Grand fir The species subcommittee considered declared superior seed
sources based on age 20 data from 8 provenance test sites. The top source, ( Subalpine fir Four nursery trials for this species were established in 2002. One has had to be abandoned due to poor survival. Of the remaining three, two were in need of intensive maintenance. Measurements for growth on 2 sites has been done, and on one site for Christmas tree traits. To address genetic conservation concerns and long term growth data, excess replacement stock was be out-planted to 2 new field sites. The adelgid quarantine will limit the scope of activities with this species, including establishing new tests in the northern interior of B.C. Noble fir As with grand fir, identification of superior
provenances to produce B+ seed is under consideration by the species
subcommittee. Based on age 16 data from 12 sites the top source had 11% volume
gain over other well-adapted provenances. After consideration of juvenile/mature
correlation the gain achievable was about 6%. Similar to the situation for grand
fir, the viability of using the chosen superior seed source near Ministry Contacts
Charlie Cartwright,
Research Scientist Ministry contact:
Alvin Yanchuk |
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