OverviewThe growth, form, wood quality, and health of British Columbia's managed forests are dependent on tree seedlings being adapted to the range of climates present at their planting location. British Columbia’s seed transfer system ensures that plantations receive seedlots adapted to their climatic environment and is described in the Chief Forester’s Standards (CFS) for Seed Use. Scientists are increasingly concerned about climate change and predict major changes in climate in the next 50–100 years. The ability to understand the implications of potential future climate scenarios and assess risk is critical to ensuring that British Columbia’s planted forests will be adapted throughout their rotation. Forest geneticists in the Climate Change and Seed Transfer research area are seeking new tools and approaches to deal with the threats posed by climate change. The field of genecology—the study of the relationship between patterns of adaptive genetic variation and ecological variation—and the application of new tools, such as Geographical Information Systems (GISs), fine-scale climate models, and new analytical techniques are improving our understanding of the relationship between future climate change scenarios and adaptation in tree breeding programs. Researchers are exploring opportunities to mitigate (and reverse, in some locations) negative impacts on forest health and productivity by better matching seedlot and site climates, facilitating migration of seedlots and species and of seedlots on a landscape, and implementing response function–based seed transfer systems. The Climate Change and Seed Transfer research program has provided substantial support to revising and implementing the Chief Forester’s Standards (CFS) for Seed Use, representing a consolidation of current knowledge and research results. The program also supports the Future Forest Ecosystems Initiative and development of the Gene Resource Conservation and Management Strategy, while contributing to improving industry competitiveness.Research Highlights
Extension and Consultations
Forest geneticists participate in a variety of conferences and extension activities, including:
Recent PublicationsJohnston, M., S. Webber, T. Williamson, K. Hirsch, and G.A. O'Neill. 12-15 May 2009. Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Strategies for the Forest Sector in Canada. In 2nd Climate Change Technology Conference, 2009, Hamilton, ON. Engineering Institute of Canada McKenney, D.W., J.H. Pedlar, and G.A. O'Neill. 2009. Seed zones. Forestry Chronicle 85: 258-266. Ukrainetz, N.K. and G.A. O'Neill. 2009. Adapting to adaptation: assisted migration addresses climate change. BC Forest Professional 16: 16-17. [pdf] Knox, R. 2008. Project grows forests' future. In Vernon Morning Star, pp. 1, Vernon. [pdf] O’Neill, G.A., M. Carlson, V. Berger, and N.K. Ukrainetz. 2008. Assisted Migration Adaptation Trial. TICtalk 9:3-4. [pdf] O'Neill, G.A., M. Carlson, A. Yanchuk, and V. Berger. [2008]. Multi-species adaptation trial to guide future seedlot selection. TICtalk 8. In press. O'Neill, G.A., A. Hamann and T. Wang, [2008]. Accounting for population variation improves estimates of climate change impacts on species' growth and distribution. J. Appl. Ecol. Submitted. O'Neill, G.A. and N.K. Ukrainetz. 2008. Climate-based seed transfer. Tree Seed Bulletin 47. Fredericton, NB. Canadian Tree Improvement Association, Tree Seed Working Group. pp. 8-11. O'Neill, G.A. 2007. Seed transfer 101. Canadian tree improvement association: tree seed working group: news bulletin 46: 4-8. O'Neill, G.A., G.D. Nigh, T. Wang and P.K. Ott. 2007. Growth response functions improved by accounting for nonclimatic site effects. Can. J. For. Res. 37: 2724-2730. Wang, T., A. Hamann, A. Yanchuk, G. A. O'Neill, S.N. and Aitken, 2006. Use of response functions in selecting lodgepole pine populations for future climates. Global Change Biol. 12: 2404-2416. Woods, A. and G.A. O'Neill. 2006. What effects will a changing climate have on lodgepole pine in British Columbia? In Proc. 54th Annual Western International Forest Disease Work Conf., 2006, Smithers, B.C., Canada. M.B. Jackson.(editor). U.S. Dept. of Agric., For. Serv. Forest Health Protection. Missula, Muit. pp. 67-76. Yanchuk, A.D. and G.A. O'Neill. 2006. Seed source selection and deployment to address adaptation to future climates for interior spruce in western Canada. Final report to the Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Directorate Project A644. Res. Br., B.C. Min. For. Range. Victoria, B.C. pp. 1-8. Ying, C.C. and A.D. Yanchuk. 2006. The development of British Columbia’s tree seed transfer guidelines: Purpose, concept, methodology, and implementation. For. Ecol. and Manage. 227:1–13. For a complete list of publications click here. Ministry Contacts
Greg O’Neill, Research Scientist (Kalamalka)
Ministry contact:
Alvin Yanchuk |
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