Abstract
Forest ecosystems in Europe are expected to experience changes in temperature and water regimes associated with increased risks of extreme environmental events and disasters. Genetic diversity and relatedness has been linked to resilience of forest stands and landscapes. Genetic diversity indicators were compared between a Norway spruce population naturally regenerated after extensive windthrow and Norway spruce progeny populations derived from two seed orchards. In addition, genetic diversity in an undisturbed stand in a long established national park and a spruce genetic resource stand were analyzed. Populations were genotyped at 11 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci. Average genetic diversity indicators were similar across populations. However, the total number of alleles, average number of alleles over all loci, effective number of alleles, average gene diversity, and average allelic richness were highest in the naturally regenerated population and lowest in one of the seed orchard progeny populations. The genetic diversity in progeny from seed orchards used for stand renewal is comparable to the genetic diversity in naturally regenerated stands. However, fluctuations in seed production between years can have a large impact on genetic diversity in seed orchard progeny. The use of improved Norway spruce germplasm deployed via clonal seed orchards for forest renewal can maintain similar levels of genetic diversity compared to naturally regenerated stands, while also increasing production and timber quality.
Highlights
Forest ecosystems in Europe are expected to experience changes in temperature and water regimes associated with increased risks of forest disturbances [1]
The high levels of genetic diversity are a result of the diversity present within the clones, which in many cases is supplemented by high levels of pollen flow from outside the seed orchard
The genetic diversity in progeny from seed orchards used for stand renewal is comparable to the genetic diversity in naturally regenerated stands
Summary
Forest ecosystems in Europe are expected to experience changes in temperature and water regimes associated with increased risks of forest disturbances [1]. Projected future climate scenarios pose uncertainties related to increased risks of extreme events and disasters [2]. Under most scenarios, Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) would experience difficulties in growth, and regeneration (caused by droughts, pests, storm damages) [4,5,6]. Recovery of ecosystems and their further development depends on management decisions regarding natural succession or planting of improved germplasm, which may have impacts on the genetic diversity of forest stands [7,8]. There are many interactions and often evolutionary processes (evolutionary adaptation) that occur as a result of natural or anthropogenic disturbances, which play essential roles in forest resilience [9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
