Provenance Regions Research Articles

How Was the Late Neogene Red Clay Formed in the Ordos Plateau (Northwest China)?

Eolian sediments are extensively distributed across the Earth’s surface, and their formation is intricately linked to climate change, tectonic activity, and topographic features. Consequently, the investigation of eolian sediments bears great geological significance. The northwest region of China is renowned for hosting the most extensive and thickest Late Miocene–Pliocene red clay deposits globally. Nonetheless, scholars have yet to reach a consensus regarding the precise formation processes of these red clays. The identification of the source region of the red clays is crucial for comprehending their formation mechanism. The correlation of zircon U-Pb age spectra is a frequently utilized method for determining the provenance of eolian sediments. In this study, we compared the previously published zircon U-Pb ages (n = 12,918) of the Late Miocene–Pliocene red clays in the Ordos Plateau with those from the potential provenance regions (n = 24,280). The analysis, supported by the tectonic and climatic background of the region, revealed that the Late Miocene–Pliocene red clay in the Ordos Plateau originates predominantly from the Yellow and Wei rivers, with a minor contribution from the weathering of bedrock in the western North China Craton. The transport of these detrital materials by the East Asian winter monsoon is impeded by the presence of the Qinling and Taihang Shan, resulting in their deposition on the flat surface of the Ordos Plateau. This development of red clay is consistent with the proximal accumulation model, illustrating how the hydrosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere interacted to shape the red clay deposits during the Late Miocene and Pliocene periods in the Ordos Plateau.

Sedimentary microfacies of Member 5 of Xujiahe Formation in the Dongfengchang area, Sichuan Basin

Member 5 of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation (T3X5) in central Sichuan Basin has made a breakthrough in exploration recently. However, this new stratum has not been investigated sufficiently with respect to basic geology, making its types and distribution of sedimentary facies unclear, which severely restricts its subsequent exploration evaluation. In this study, types of sedimentary microfacies in the first sand group of T3X5 (T3X51) are clarified through core observation and logging interpretation using core, log and seismic data, and then distribution of sedimentary microfacies in T3X51 is determined according to seismic waveform features and seismic prediction. The results show that T3X51 in the Dongfengchang area is mainly composed of deltaic deposits of several microfacies, such as delta front underwater distributary channel, sheet sand, and interdistributary bay. On seismic sections, different microfacies are significantly different in waveform features, the underwater distributary channel is characterized by one trough between two peaks, while diversion bay exhibits chaotic reflections between T6 and T51. The sedimentary microfacies varied greatly during the depositional period of T3X51 in the Dongfengchang area, this is because that the sediment supply was mainly controlled by the southwest and southeast provenance regions. Three superimposed underwater distributary channels are developed in the Dongfengchang area. The phase-1 superimposed underwater distributary channel in the northwest transition to sheet sand in the northeast, the phase-2 superimposed underwater distributary channel in the south extends shortly, the phase-3 superimposed underwater distributary channel in the northeast has a large development scale. These research findings are helpful to guide the subsequent exploration of T3X5 gas reservoir and also theoretically significant for investigating the depositional evolution of the Xujiahe Formation in central Sichuan Basin.

Using Adapted and Productive European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Provenances as Future Solutions for Sustainable Forest Management in Romania

In the near future, it is predicted that the natural distribution range of forest tree species will be reshaped due to the rapid changes in climate conditions. The assisted migration of species in favorable environmental conditions, as future solutions for sustainable forest management, could be supported by genetic tests. This study aims to evaluate the adaptive potential of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and the opportunities for applying assisted migration practices in the Carpathian region of Romania. Growth and stability performances, as well as phenotypic plasticity of 31 international beech provenances, were assessed in two common garden experiments located in optimum growing conditions and at the eastern margin of the beech distribution range, respectively. For all analyses, trees height, breast height diameter, and survival were determined. Survival and growth traits were higher by 6–8% in the ecological optimum for beech. The highest mean plasticity was obtained by three provenances from France and one from Denmark. Three provenances performed better in both trials. Increasing the management sustainability of beech forests in a changing climate might be possible by using assisted migration practices, which include the promotion of the highest adapted and productive provenances only in the provenance region where they performed.

Can a Forest Tree Species Progeny Trial Serve as an Ex Situ Collection? A Case Study on Alnus glutinosa

Scientifically informed decisions for the long-term conservation of extant genetic diversity should combine in situ and ex situ conservation methods. The aim of the present study was to assess if a progeny plantation consisting of several open pollinated (OP) families and established for breeding purposes can also serve as an ex situ conservation plantation, using the case study of a Lithuanian progeny trial of Alnus glutinosa, a keystone species of riparian ecosystems that warrants priority conservation actions. We employed 17 nuclear microsatellite (Simple Sequence Repeat) markers and compared the genetic diversity and copy number of the captured alleles of 22 OP progeny families from this plantation, with 10 wild A. glutinosa populations, originating from the two provenance regions of the species in Lithuania. We conclude that the progeny plantation could be used as an ex situ plantation for the A. glutinosa populations from the first provenance region (represented by eight genetic conservation units (GCU)). Based on the present study’s results, we can expect that the A. glutinosa progeny plantation harbors enough genetic diversity of wild A. glutinosa populations from the first provenance region. This progeny plantation can serve as a robust ex situ collection containing local alleles present in at least one wild population with at least 0.05 frequency with 25 replications.

First insights into genetic structure and diversity of Corylus colurna L. for conservation of its genetic resources and possible assisted migration

Climate change is already affecting all forest ecosystems and threatening species therein. By establishing mixed forests incorporating other tree species (e. g. scattered broadleaves) adaptation of forest stands to changing environmental conditions can be improved and the risks minimized. Turkish hazel (Corylus colurna L.) has been currently discussed as a valuable so-called alternative tree species in some European regions because it is well adapted to difficult environmental conditions. However, in its natural distribution area Turkish hazel has been overexploited because of its valuable wood and can only be found in small and isolated populations. Therefore, we examined the genetic structure and variation of Turkish hazel covering most of its natural distribution range in Asia Minor, the Caucasus, and the Balkan Peninsula. Altogether, 689 Turkish hazel trees from 25 populations were analysed at 15 nuclear and five chloroplast microsatellite markers. Both data sets revealed distinct genetic clusters of Turkish hazel in its natural distribution range, suggesting separate refugia and migration pathways during the Holocene. Medium to high level genetic variation was found, with somewhat lower values in Georgia and Turkey compared to the Balkan populations. Overall, our results highlight the need to delineate provenance regions, identify gene conservation units (GCUs) and seed stands for Turkish hazel which are essential for species conservation, provenance research and possible assisted migration attempts. Based on our results each country is able now to start conservation programs and select GCUs for Turkish hazel.

Long-lived Cenozoic positive relief of the south-Eastern Tian Shan: Insights from provenance analyses of the northwestern Kuqa Depression sediments

The Eastern Tian Shan, one of the most active intracontinental orogenic belts, should bear important information on the mechanisms of intracontinental mountain building. In this study, detrital zircon U-Pb geochronological analysis of the Cenozoic Tiereke section succession in the northern Tarim Basin-Eastern Tian Shan convergence zone, combined with stratigraphic results, reveals the provenance histories of the Cenozoic sediments in the northwestern Kuqa Depression of northern Tarim Basin. Nine Cenozoic samples obtained from the strata of the Kumugeliemu Group to the lowest Kangcun Formation of the Tiereke section exhibit high resemblance to provenances of the south-Eastern Tian Shan, indicating existence of a prolonged eroding relief within this mountain since the early Cenozoic (∼54 Ma). This prolonged state of eroding relief requires continuous intracontinental deformation of the Eastern Tian Shan to sustain a provenance region, implying immediate deformation responding to the initial Indian-Eurasian collision. Furthermore, the south-Eastern Tian Shan served as the only source region for the northwestern Kuqa Depression of northern Tarim Basin, demonstrating that the upper-crustal boundary between the south-Eastern Tian Shan and the northern Tarim Basin was possibly stationary during most of the Cenozoic Era (∼54 Ma to ∼9.7 Ma). Such a stationary basin-orogenic boundary would favor the predictions of the pure-shear-like thickening model for the intracontinental mountain building during this period. We suggest that the long-lived mountain building of the Eastern Tian Shan may be due to its small convergence rate.

Combining genetic and environmental data to map and model regions of provenance for silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in Italy

Regions of provenance for forest reproductive materials are the basis for wise use of forest resources in a changing climate. In this work a modelling framework is proposed for silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in Italy where genetic clusters described by nuclear microsatellites were combined with high-resolution climatic data. When the genetic clusters were too large or had an uncertain ecological niche expression, an additional subregion division-was evaluated according to a climatic assessment. Subsequently each genecological group (Region of Provenance, RoP) was projected in geographic space separately using species distribution modelling (SDM) procedure under current (1991–2020) and a future climate scenario derived from the 6th assessment report for the period 2041–2070. The final division into nine RoPs was able to explain 77.41% of the total climatic variance, a good trade-off between statistical significance and practical usability. The modelling steps then showed a large degree of ecological overlap between RoPs with some of them occurring in similar ecological environments but characterized by a different genetic structure. When projected at the continental scale, the Italian RoPs were found to be suitable for almost all the current European range of silver fir, with potential expansion in Nordic countries in the future, beyond the current distribution range. The study showed that the combination of genetic and ecological data can be a robust way to proceed in areas where a strong genetic differentiation between populations occurs, such as in Italy. New markers such as SNPs can then be used to detect adaptive traits and drive the selection of provenances for common garden experiments in areas where the SDM modelscurrently extrapolate potential sites outside the current natural range.

Geochemistry and mineralogy of the Upper Ordovician Wufeng formation, Southwestern China: Implications for Paleoclimate construction

Wufeng Formation shale is an important source rock of unconventional hydrocarbons in the Lower Paleozoic shales of Sichuan Basin. However, the study on its provenance and paleoclimate is still relatively limited. In this study, mineralogical and geochemical data of the shales from the Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation in southwestern China has been used to interpret the provenance and conditions of weathering and paleoclimate. The Wufeng shales have intermediate to high SiO2 (57.72–82.38 wt. %, av. = 68.84 wt. %) and Al2O3 (5.26–16.17 wt. %, av. = 10.62 wt. %), are rich in transition metal elements (i.e. V, Ni, Cu, Co and Cr) and Y as well as moderate depletion in Na2O and Sr, relative to the concentrations of the upper continental crust (UCC). In the chondrite-normalized (CN) rare earth elements (REE) distributions, these rocks display light REE (LREE) enrichment (La/YbCN = 6.69–12.63, av. = 9.28), flat heavy REE (HREE) (Gd/YbCN = 1.35–2.41, av. = 1.70), and clearly negative Eu anomalies (Euan = 0.50–0.66, av. = 0.58), showing similar characteristics with the CN post-Archean Australian Average Shales (PAAS). Wufeng Formation shales are immature composition without evident recycling sediments, and they are originated from an intermediate-felsic igneous source composed of tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG), granitic and andesitic igneous rocks. The chemical weathering conditions of studied shales decreased from moderate to low in the provenance region, suggesting a gradual cooling trend of the climate at Late Ordovician Thus, this article will be helpful to discern the provenance and variations of chemical weathering conditions and paleoclimate of Wufeng Formation shales.

A Conceptual Framework for Conservation and Management of Moroccan Forest Genetic Resources Using Biogeography-Based Approach

The introduction of mal-adapted genotype is a major concern in conservation and management of forest genetic resources. This is risky because it potentially threatens the integrity of the natural genetic structure of populations. Therefore, it is necessary to provide guidance on the choice of appropriate germplasm and determine how far it can be moved from its native environment. The most basic guidelines for germplasm movement involve the use of Regions of Provenance (RoP). The RoP for a forest species or sub-species is the area or group of areas subject to sufficiently uniform ecological conditions in which stands or seed sources showing similar phenotypic or genetic characters are found, taking into account altitudinal boundaries where appropriate. However, there is little information concerning Regions of Provenance and limited knowledge about safe limits to the movement of seed, cuttings and planting stock in Morocco. This paper establishes a conceptual framework based on Regions of Provenance that is designed to better understand, protect and use forest genetic resources in Morocco, especially the species for which no specific knowledge on local adaptation or no data about population differentiation are currently available. This is the first study that represents a precise map of Regions of Provenance for Moroccan forest reproductive material and that provides detailed description on topographical, environmental and forest characteristics that characterize each Region of Provenance, by using geographical information system (GIS) techniques. A biogeography-based approach was applied and revealed that the territory was hierarchically organized into 2 Biogeographic Divisions, 9 Biogeographic Units and 19 Regions of Provenance. The RoP proposed are intended as a practical provenance decision-making tool to guide the movement of forest reproductive material in Morocco. This ensures the traceability of planting stock throughout the harvesting-seedling production-plantation process to a specified Forest Basic Material.

The Origin of the Black Shale Series and Bentonites from the Wufeng Formation in the Southwestern Upper Yangtze: Implications for the Convergence of the Yangtze and Cathaysia Blocks in the Late Ordovician

AbstractEarly Paleozoic black organic sediments and bentonites occur widely in the craton basin within the Yangtze block and are generally believed to be genetically related to a specific tectonic setting on the cratonic boundary. However, the intimate relationship between their origins and the dynamic mechanisms are unclear, as exemplified by the genesis of the black shale series and bentonites from the Wufeng Formation during the Ordovician–Silurian transition (OST). In order to reveal the relationship between the Wufeng Formation and the convergence of the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks (i.e., the intracontinental Kwangsian Orogeny), two stratigraphic sections respectively in Zhaotong area (Northeast Yunnan) and Puyi area (Northwestern Guizhou) that were located in the semi‐restricted inner Yangtze Sea during the OST were systematically studied, on the basis of whole‐rock geochemical composition, pyrite δ34S (δ34Spy), total organic carbon (TOC), stable Sr isotope, pyrite framboid size distribution and zircon U‐Pb age, trace elements. The evidence shows that the paleo‐oceanic environment changed significantly at the turn of the early–late Katian and formed the black shale series in the Wufeng Formation. These acritarch assemblages were formed in the transition process of the Upper Yangtze Basin from passive continental margin basin to foreland basin during this interval. Based on previous research on the genetic relationship between black shale series and plate tectonic movement, a basin‐mountain evolution model suitable for South China in the Late Ordovician is presented. The two bentonites in the Wufeng Formation with U‐Pb ages of 445.5 ± 0.8 Ma and 441.9 ± 2.4 Ma primarily originated from the intermediate–acid volcanic eruption during the collision and convergence between the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks in the Late Ordovician, the provenance region probably being located in the Jiangnan orogenic belt. Thus, we believe that the appearance of the black shale series and bentonite in the Wufeng Formation at the turn of the early–late Katian may represent the initiation of basin‐mountain transformation and the Kwangsian Orogeny in South China, which provides important evidence for the collision and convergence of the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks in the Late Ordovician.

Multi stable isotope ratio analysis for the traceability of northern Italian apples.

Isotope ratio mass spectrometry is a well-known technique used to trace the origin of agri-food products from different countries. Here this method was tested to trace the exact orchard of provenance of Italian apples harvested at sites close to each other. We measured the δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S values of apple subfractions (peel, petiole, pulp, seed) from two orchards in Ferrara and one orchard in Trento. Sulfur represents the best marker for tracing the regions of provenance of samples because it is linked to the presence of sulfate (Ferrara1: +9.0‰; Ferrara 2: +7.3‰) and sulfide (Trento: -1.3‰) minerals in soils. However, the δ13C of apple subfractions combined with the δ34S of seed in a linear discrimination analysis better discriminated the three orchards. The isotopic fingerprint of apples is thus significantly affected by the relative terroir, and it can be used as "isotopic identity card" to certify "protected designations of origin".

Late Paleozoic cratonal sink: Distally sourced sediment filled the Anadarko Basin (USA) from multiple source regions

AbstractThe Anadarko Basin (south-central USA) is the deepest basin on the North American craton and occupies a region largely surrounded by major, late Paleo-zoic plate-margin (Marathon-Ouachita-Appalachian) and intraplate (Ancestral Rocky Mountains) orogenic systems, albeit a distal arm of the latter. The Anadarko Basin hosts an exceptionally voluminous record of Pennsylvanian strata, and much of this fill has been attributed to erosion of the adjacent Wichita uplift—composed of granitic and rhyolitic rocks of Cambrian age—separated from the basin by a fault zone exhibiting 12 km of vertical separation. This work incorporates thin-section petrography (102 samples) and U-Pb detrital zircon geochronology of sandstone samples (12 samples) from core and outcrop of the Middle Pennsylvanian Red Fork Sandstone (and equivalents) as well as slightly younger Upper Pennsylvanian units (Tonkawa, Chelsea, and Gypsy sandstones) in order to interpret drainage pathways and evolution of those pathways toward and into the Anadarko Basin (Oklahoma) and evaluate the relative importance of the major provenance regions.Our petrographic analysis indicates sandstones with arkosic compositions are limited to the region immediately adjacent to (north of) the Wichita uplift. All remaining samples, which reflect the vast bulk of sediment in the depocenter, including sediment on the northern and eastern Anadarko shelf, are litharenites. Analysis of kernel density plots of the U-Pb ages of detrital zircons together with multidimensional scaling analysis of the Middle Pennsylvanian samples indicate three groups of similar provenance: (1) samples dominated by Cambrian ages from locations directly adjacent to the Wichita uplift; (2) samples dominated by Neoproterozoic ages from locations along the northern shelf of the Anadarko Basin; and (3) samples dominated by Mesoproterozoic ages from locations along the eastern Anadarko shelf and the basin center. These samples are spatially discrete, indicating partitioning of drainage networks during the Middle Pennsylvanian, with two continental-scale fluvial systems entering the Anadarko Basin from the north (transversely) and east (axially). The lack of Cambrian ages in the depocenter and (northern) shelf samples indicate that the Wichita uplift supplied only limited sediment to the basin; sediment derived from the uplift was trapped in fringing fans directly adjacent to the uplift. In contrast to the patterns exhibited by the Middle Pennsylvanian samples, Upper Pennsylvanian samples exhibit more uniform U-Pb ages across the basin. This indicates the relatively rapid evolution of the Appalachian-derived northerly and easterly drainages into an integrated system that flowed axially across the (overfilled) mid-continent basins to the ultimate continental sink in the Anadarko Basin.

Climate Change in the Provenance Regions of Romania over the Last 70 Years: Implications for Forest Management

The recent climate change scenarios show significant increases in temperature and extreme drought events in Southern and Eastern Europe by the end of the 21st century, which will have a serious impact on forest growth and adaptation, and important consequences for forest management. The system of provenance regions, according to the OECD Scheme and EU Directive, was thought to encourage the use of the local seed sources, under the concept ‘local is the best’. However, climate is changing faster than some species or populations can adapt or migrate, which raises some uncertainties with respect to the future performance of local populations. In Romania, as in other countries, the delimitation of provenance regions is based on geographical, ecological and vegetation criteria. The aim of this study is to evaluate: (1) the climate change that has occurred at the level of the provenance regions; (2) which regions will be most vulnerable to climate change; (3) which forest types will be the most vulnerable in a certain region; and (4) changes in the climatic envelope of forest species. Several climatic parameters and an ecoclimatic indices have been calculated and analyzed at the level of provenance regions, subregions and ecological sectors (forest types) in Romania, during the period 1951–2020. The results highlight a general shift towards warmer and drier conditions in the last 30 years, the mean annual temperature increasing with 0.3–1.1 °C across the provenance subregions. The De Martonne aridity index for the vegetation season shows that 86% of the ecological sectors fell into the arid and semiarid categories, which indicates a very high degree of vulnerability for forest species. On the Lang rainfall index, forest steppe climatic conditions occurred in all pure or mixed pedunculate oak forests, thermophile oak species, meadow forests, poplar and willow, Turkey oak and Hungarian oak forests. The Ellenberg coefficient highlights that the warming process is more evident along the altitude and the degree of vulnerability increase at lower altitude or at the edge of species distribution. The climate envelopes of many forest species have already shifted to another ecosystem’s climate. This paper presents the importance of re-delineation the provenance regions for the production and deployment of forest reproductive materials according to the climate change occurred in the last decades, as a fundamental tool for an adaptive forest management.

A triple isotope approach (Sr-O-C) to assess human mobility dynamics in the Lower Germanic limes borderscape (40–470 CE)

The intention of the Roman administration to develop the Lower Germanic limes region into a military zone must have been a catalyst for (long-distance) human and faunal mobility in the course of the 1st century CE. A triple isotope approach (Sr-O-C) has been used on a total of 21 cremations (bone and pars petrosa) and 21 inhumations (dental elements) from the Dutch Lower Germanic limes borderscape region to study the demographicdynamics between 150 and 500 CE. The dental enamel 87Sr/86Sr range from 0.7086 to 0.7158. The variability in Sr within the cremated remains is more limited: 0.7089 to 0.7103. The δ18OPDB data range from −7.6 ‰ to −4.3 ‰. All but one individual dating to the Early and Middle Roman period exhibit Sr ratios that are consistent with the expected local (0.7088–0.7092) or regional (up to ± 0.7110) 87Sr/86Sr signature. The population dynamics drastically change in the subsequent Late Roman period. Fifty percent (6/12) of the investigated Late Roman population (partially) spent part of their childhood away from the Dutch river system or even the Batavian civitas. The cremated long bone 87Sr/86Sr possibly point towards residential stability during the last few years of life: all data are compatible with the expected regional Sr signature. The δ13CPDB data vary between −16.0 ‰ and −8.7 ‰: the latter was indicative of a diet rich in C4 food, which was not a staple in the Roman diet in the Lower Germanic limes region. Although more research is essential to better understand the population dynamics in the limes borderscape, it is clear that the isotope data reflect the political-military status of the Lower Germanic limes region, especially during the transition to a militarized zone in the later Roman period. Identifying possible regions of provenance is a challenge. Another proxy for provenance, namely the cultural artefacts associated with the excavated people, did not show a specific relationship between cultural background and geographical origin.

Characteristics, recent evolution, and ongoing retreat of Hunt Fjord Ice Shelf, northern Greenland

AbstractArctic ice shelves have declined over the past several decades, one of many indications of a rapidly changing cryosphere. Here we use a collection of off-nadir Landsat 8 images, a 1978 digital orthophotograph and photogrammetrically derived DEM, satellite altimetry and other data to examine the causes of an Arctic ice-shelf retreat in northernmost Greenland, the Hunt Fjord Ice Shelf (HFIS). HFIS has several distinct provenance regions comprised of glacier-derived ice and corrugated multi-decadal fast ice, with varying ice thicknesses (5–64 m). Available imagery shows little change in HFIS between 1978 and 2012, after which several midsummer calving events occurred (2012, 2016 and 2019) that reduced the HFIS by 42.5 km2 (~56%). Shelf area losses began as the number of surface melt days on the adjacent ice sheet more than doubled relative to the 1980s. Recent calving events also occurred during open-water periods at the ice-shelf front. Prior to mid-2012, there were no calving events during similar open-water periods. HFIS tributary glaciers have thinned by 3–20 m near their grounding zones, and may have accelerated since the 1980s, likely due to increased basal melting from contact with warm Atlantic Water.

Quantitative tracing of provenance for modern eolian sands with various grain size fractions in the Ulan Buh Desert, northwestern China

Accurate identification of eolian sand provenance in deserts is beneficial for understanding desert formation and evolution. However, eolian sands of diverse grain sizes usually have different provenances, making their quantitative tracing challenging. In this study, a total of 45 samples, including 24 current desert eolian sand samples and 21 provenance region samples, were collected across the Ulan Buh Desert in northwestern China; they were analyzed for trace elements and rare earth elements using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The provenance of various grain size fractions was quantitatively traced using a composite fingerprinting approach. Our results revealed that provenance contributions to the eolian sand grain size fractions were affected by transport dynamics, transport distance, and source lithology. The Langshan Mountains, which have a highly unstable mineral content, contributed 68% of the very fine sand (<125 µm). The Hawula Mountains and paleolacustrine deposits in the desert hinterlands, which have the shortest transport distance and are affected by strong winds, contributed 36–65% and 20–56% of the coarser (>125 µm) fractions of eolian sand in the desert, respectively. Thus, the quantitative contribution of the provenances to eolian sands were as follows: the Hawula Mountains, 39%; paleolacustrine deposits in desert hinterlands, 34%; the Langshan Mountains, 21%; and the peripheral Gobi, 6%. This study suggests that coarse-grained materials can originate from paleolacustrine deposits in desert hinterlands, which should not be ignored as a substantial provenance of eolian sands in future studies. Moreover, sedimentary sorting should be considered during composite fingerprinting to quantitatively trace the provenance of eolian sands with various grain sizes. This study enables an accurate estimation of the provenance of eolian sands in deserts.

Provenance variation and seed sourcing for sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) in France

Key messageSessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) provenance variation was assessed in a multisite test based on traits of economic and ecological relevance in France. While climatic drivers generated genetic clines at a range-wide scale, provenance variation in France was mainly shaped by past silvicultural regimes. We developed a multitrait approach to facilitate decision-making for seed sourcing. A set of provenance clusters is proposed, supporting recommendations for plantation programmes.ContextAmong broadleaves, sessile oak (Quercus petraea) is likely to spread in the context of current climate change and is increasingly planted in France. Seed sourcing is of the utmost importance for ensuring plantation success and adaptation. The selection of appropriate seed sources is highly challenging when the future climate conditions of plantation areas are uncertain.AimsWe aimed at identifying drivers of provenance variation in Q. petraea and to build provenance clusters based on traits of adaptive and economic value, to ultimately support decision-making in seed sourcing.MethodsWe analysed a multisite provenance test established 30 years ago and comprising a large collection of Q. petraea provenances by performing phenotypic assessments of survival, growth, phenology, and stem-quality traits. We analysed climate-trait correlations at a range-wide scale and used multivariate statistics [multivariate mixed models, principal component analysis (PCA)] and classification methods [hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), K-means method] to generate an overall clustering of french provenances.ResultsProvenance effects were highly significant regardless of the trait considered, whereas interaction effects between provenance and other experimental sources of variation were minor compared to provenance and environmental variance. There was limited variation between provenances collected in the same forest in comparison to origins of different forests. We found sharp temperature-driven genetic clines for growth and phenology-related traits at a range-wide scale. The multitrait classification approach grouped the French provenances into 11 clusters, with the members of each cluster having similar trait values. Overall, the cluster composition of provenances poorly matched the provenance regions identified on ecological grounds, but rather mirrored the silvicultural regimes implemented in the source stands in the past.ConclusionsTwo of the provenance clusters (comprising a total of 34 provenances) were identified as potentially useful sources of reproductive material. We recommend mixing seeds of different provenances from a given cluster to ensure the maintenance of diversity and to enhance adaptability to future climatic conditions.

Geochemical Reconstruction of the Provenance, Tectonic Setting and Paleoweathering of Lower Paleozoic Black Shales from Northern Europe

Lower Paleozoic black shales from Estonia, Sweden, and Russia were analyzed for major and trace elements to reconstruct the provenance, tectonic setting, and paleoweathering conditions of these shales. The black shale is highly enriched in U, V, Mo, and Pb (except in samples from Sweden where Pb is slightly enriched), slightly enriched in SiO2, Fe2O3, K2O, and TiO2 and highly depleted in CaO, Na2O, and MnO, with respect to average shales. The provenance signatures (Th/Sc versus Zr/Sc, Al2O3 versus TiO2, Zr versus TiO2 plots, and Zr/Sc ratio) of the Baltoscandian black shales suggest that they were derived from rocks of intermediate to felsic composition and from recycled sediments. The likely provenance region was the Paleoproterozoic igneous and metamorphic basement of southern central and southern Finland, which consists predominantly of felsic to intermediate metamorphic (acidic to intermediate gneisses, felsic volcanics, microcline granites and migmatites) and igneous rocks (small granitic intrusions and large rapakivi granite intrusions), and reworked older Ediacaran and Lower Cambrian sediments; however, the proportion of clastic input from these sources is not uniform in the three regions studied. The discrimination of the tectonic settings of source materials of the black shale using the SiO2 versus K2O/Na2O plot and a new discriminant method (APMdisc) favors a passive margin setting. The Chemical Index of Weathering (CIW) indicates that the clastic material in the black shale of the studied regions has experienced an intense degree of chemical weathering. Weathering indices (Chemical Index of Alteration CIA and CIW) also show that the black shale has experienced significant secondary potassium enrichment.

Dropped in the Ocean – 87Sr/86Sr as a provenance tool for ice-rafted Arctic driftwood

Provenance and age determinations of driftwood provide insights into Holocene Arctic Ocean surface currents and sea ice dynamics, with detailed reconstructions requiring a provenance methodology with fine temporal and spatial resolution. Determination of wood geographical provenance by genus data is limited by its spatially coarse resolution, while provenance by dendrochronological crossdating is reliant on available boreal forest reference chronologies which are abundant for recent centuries but more sparse for older periods of the Holocene. We present the development of novel techniques to refine the provenance of driftwood through radiogenic isotopic analysis ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr). The use of geochemical techniques addresses limitations of current methods and opens the possibility of defining the role of atmospheric and oceanic circulation in sea ice and climatic changes throughout the Holocene at a finer spatial resolution than currently possible. This study investigates and develops geochemical 87 Sr/ 86 Sr fingerprinting of Arctic driftwood. To this end, it analyses driftwood samples from northern Svalbard and compares this technique with provenance regions obtained through dendrochronology, and with modelled and measured global 87 Sr/ 86 Sr reference databases. We conclude that the utilisation of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios to establish provenance for Arctic driftwood has some potential, but identify important limitations in the method, concerning both the signal in samples and reference values required for provenance. Increased sample populations and source samples for calibration, as well as methodological improvements that address the likely overprinting linked to driftwood transport, are recommended to build upon this work. We conclude that at present dendro-provenancing continues to be the most powerful method to study sea ice dynamics from Arctic driftwood and suggest that given the high spatial granularity of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr across the boreal forest, this technique might only be usable in combination with previously developed provenance tools and reconstructions. This study provides a first step in the use of radiogenic isotopic analysis in a multi-proxy reconstruction of Holocene driftwood incursion onto high Arctic shorelines. • Driftwood is a novel tool for insights into Holocene Arctic sea ice dynamics. • Fine spatial and temporal resolution of driftwood provenance is needed. • Geochemical 87 Sr/ 86 Sr fingerprinting of Arctic driftwood is explored in this study. • 87 Sr/ 86 Sr shows some promise, with limitations in reference data and sample signals. • We conclude that a combined approach to driftwood provenance shows the most promise.

Local adaptation at a small geographic scale observed in Juniperus excelsa populations in southern Turkey

Juniperus excelsa is one of the most common tree species and has a wide geographical and altitudinal distribution in Turkey. It is also resistant to drought and frost damages and can cope with poor soils. In this study, we explore whether there are any differences among eight J. excelsa populations from a narrow geographic region grown in a common garden test site in terms of growth and contents of photosynthetic pigments, proline and nutrients of their 10-year-old saplings. Phenotypic trait differentiation (QST) at all traits, FST at neutral SSRs among six of the populations and associations of traits with environmental conditions at provenance regions were also analysed to test for patterns of local adaptation. Sapling traits of eight J. excelsa populations of from Lakes District in Turkey at the test site showed that populations significantly differed for growth, photosynthetic pigments, proline and nutrient contents. The mean height and diameter of 10-year-old saplings were found as 94.5 cm and 41.6 mm, respectively. Egirdir-Barla and Sütçüler-Tota populations showed the highest performance for the majority of traits at age 10 compared to all other populations. Nutrient contents in leaves were generally in the sufficiency range reported for plant growth. Considering photosynthetic pigments and proline, it could be concluded that the populations were not exposed to severe stress. Among the environmental variables, the best predictors of growth were annual mean minimum temperature and soil texture at the populations’ origin, accounting for 49% of the variation in height and diameter, respectively. Also, higher phenotypic trait differentiation for most traits than genetic differentiation at neutral genetic markers suggests local adaptation at a small geographic scale. The present study revealed adaptive divergence between populations at a small geographic scale. However, environmental similarity between region of origin and test site was not a good indicator of growth-related traits. The results can be used in the early selection of provenances for J. excelsa for plantation establishment.