Abstract
Tree provenance trials consist of a variety of seed sources (or provenances) planted at several test sites across the range of a species. The resulting plantations are typically measured periodically to investigate provenance performance in relation to abiotic conditions, particularly climate. These trials are expensive and time consuming to establish, but are an important resource for seed transfer systems, which aim to match planting sites with well-adapted (climatically suitable) seed sources. Provenance trial measurements may be underutilized because the data are scattered across publications, conference proceedings, and university theses. Here we document an effort to collect available provenance trial measurements and associated climate data for seven eastern North American tree species (Pinus strobus, Pinus banksiana, Picea glauca, Picea mariana, Quercus rubra, Larix laricina, Betula alleghaniensis). The resulting datasets included a total of 773 provenances and 62 test sites, with 65 historical climate variables appended to each location. We hope this data will support forest managers in making seed transfer decisions, particularly in an era of rapid climate change.
Highlights
Background & SummaryNatural populations of tree species often vary in traits such as cold hardiness, growth, and bud phenology across their geographic range, due to local adaptation[1]
Lu et al showed that white spruce provenances from southern Ontario, Canada, performed better than local provenances at several northwestern Ontario test sites[1]
We identified seven major tree species that have significant economic and/or ecological value in our geographic area of interest: Picea glauca, Picea mariana, Pinus banksiana, Larix laricina, Pinus strobus, Quercus rubra, and Betula alleghaniensis)
Summary
Natural populations of tree species often vary in traits such as cold hardiness, growth, and bud phenology across their geographic range, due to local adaptation[1]. Www.nature.com/scientificdata of trees means that it can take decades to obtain information about mature trees from provenance trials For these reasons, consolidating existing provenance data into a publicly available repository is an important undertaking. No current resource provides compiled data from eastern North American tree provenance trials in a single product with associated climate data Instead, these data are scattered across a variety of sources, including journal articles, conference proceedings, university theses, and government reports. We present a data product that consolidates provenance data and associated climate estimates for seven major eastern North American tree species This effort provides timely data to researchers and forest managers given the recent increased focus on seed transfer under climate change. We hope that the databases and information provided in this article will facilitate the use of existing tree provenance data for ongoing seed transfer research and decision making
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