Tree species diversity of a 20-ha plot in a tropical seasonal rainforest in Xishuangbanna, southwest China

We censused all free-standing trees ≥1?cm diameter at breast height (dbh) in a 20-ha plot established in a tropical seasonal rainforest in Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve, southwest China. A total of 95,834 free-standing trees ≥1?cm dbh were recorded, and 95,498 individuals (accounting for 99.65% of the total), including 468 morphospecies in 213 genera and 70 families, were identified. Thirteen of 468 species (2.78%) had more than 1,000 individual ≥1?cm dbh, which represented 56.36% individuals of the total. On the other hand, 230 of 468 species (49.14%) had a mean density of ≤1 tree per ha, and 69 of 468 species (14.74%) were singletons in the 20-ha plot. The mean species richness, density and basal area per ha were 216.50 species, 4,791.70 stems and 42.34?m², respectively. Pittosporopsis kerrii (20,918 stems, ≥1?cm dbh) of Icacinaceae and Parashorea chinensis (7,919 stems, ≥1?cm dbh) of Dipterocarpaceae were the two most abundant species dominating the emergent layer and treelet layer, respectively. Compared with other 50-ha plots established in other equatorial regions, tree species richness per ha and tree abundance per ha of the plot were at the moderate level.     

Genetic consequences of low local tree densities - Implications for the management of naturally rare, insect pollinated species in temperate forests

Early on, researchers of evolutionary biology recognised that heterogeneity in the mating environment is an important source of variation in mating patterns. Focusing on the mating environment, we assessed the effect of conspecific tree density on mating patterns in the naturally scattered forest tree Sorbus domestica L. In an area of more than 100 km², we mapped and genotyped all 189 adult trees and performed a paternity analysis on seeds produced by single mothers. Despite a self-incompatibility system, average selfing rate was 31.9%, but with high variation among mother trees. Over 70% of this variation was explained by local density of conspecifics (i.e. within a radius of 300 m), with isolated trees being more prone to selfing. While we detected high selfing rates in progeny, adult trees showed no signs of inbreeding. As almost all inbreeding in the offspring could be attributed to self-fertilisation, we hypothesise that there is strong selection against selfed individuals. The effective reproductive output of isolated trees, which mainly self, is therefore greatly reduced. These findings have important consequences for the management of naturally scattered, insect-pollinated temperate tree species, often belonging to the family of Rosaceae. For these species, local density of conspecifics should be maintained above a certain threshold (i.e. 0.05 trees/ha in S. domestica), to avoid negative fitness consequences from selfing.     

Variation in wood properties among five full-sib families of Norway spruce (Picea abies)

Genetic- and environmental variation and correlation patterns were characterized for modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR) and related wood traits: latewood proportion, wood density, spiral grain, microfibril angle and lignin content in five full-sib families of Norway spruce. The families were evaluated on the basis of clearwood specimens from the juvenile -mature wood transition zone of 93 sampled trees at age 30 year from seed. Family-means varied significantly (p < 0.05) for all wood traits studied except lignin content. MOE varied between 7.9–14.1 GPa among trees and 9.4–11.0 GPa among families. MOR varied between 47–87 MPa among trees and 61–71 MPa among families. Families remained significantly different in an analysis of specific MOE (MOE/density) and MOR (MOR/density). Hence, solely relying on wood density as a wood quality trait in tree breeding would not fully yield the potential genetic gain for MOE and MOR. Correlations between wood structural traits and specific MOE and MOR are presented and discussed.     

Gene flow among wild and cultivated common walnut (Juglans regia) trees in the Qinling Mountains revealed by microsatellite markers

Patterns of gene flow and gene introgres sion can be used to assess the risk of genetic pollution of wild forest trees from widespread cultivated trees.A comprehensive understanding of the genetic relationships and levels of gene flow among wild and cultivated common walnut(Juglans regia) has become an urgent issue.Using twelve microsatellite markers,we investigated the genetic diversity and gene flow between cultivated and wild trees of J.regia in the Qinling Mountains,China.A high level of genetic variation was detected in both cultivated and wild trees.The mean number of alleles per locus was 17.5.Observed heterozygosity(H_O)and expected heterozygosity(H_E) were 0.777 and 0.800,respectively.Pollination of mother trees was not by nearest neighbors,and a paternity of 60.7% of offspring evaluated could not be assigned to a local,sampled tree.Pollen flow from cultivated trees to wild trees was infrequent(5.4%),and selfing rates ranged from zero to 25.0%.Male parents were located from 0 to 1005 m from their female partners,with an average pollination distance of 285.1 m.These results are discussed in light of the cultivated species' diversity,outlining the frequent spontaneous genetic contributions from the wild to the cultivated compartment.In addition,the pollen flow parameters provide useful information about the dynamics of pollen movement within J.regia populations.     

Genotypic data changes family rank for growth and quality traits in a black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) progeny test

We evaluated eight-year-old seedlings in a black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) progeny test for two quantitative and two qualitative traits. We also used 12 microsatellite markers to genotype the 328 progeny and their maternal parents. Seedling family growth and quality was evaluated based on the progeny test map. These values were compared to family growth and quality after seedlings were genotyped and reassigned to families by parentage assignment software. After genotyping and parentage analysis, about 80 % of the offspring were assigned to the same half-sib family indicated on the planting map. Considerable differences were observed between the ranks of half-sib families based on the planting-map versus the ranks of the families based on the exclusion/assignment of progeny to their family based on genotypes. Analysis of the data without genotypic assignment of progeny to their correct family revealed that the family effect for height was significant, as was family effect for diameter. After seedlings were reassigned to half-sib families based on genotypic information, neither the family effect for height nor the family effect for diameter was significant. The efficiency of the mixed model ANOVA, as measured by Akaike Information Criterion improved by about 30 % after genotyping and exclusion/reassignment of progeny. These results show that genotyping progeny can have a significant effect on the rank of families and potential selection of individuals from a progeny trial, the quality of data analysis, and the efficiency and efficacy of breeding operations.     

Short distance pollen movement in a wind-pollinated tree, Quercus lobata (Fagaceae)

Short distance pollen dispersal shapes the local genetic structure of plant populations and determines the opportunity for genetic drift and local selection. In this paper we focus on short distance dispersal (SDD) of pollen in a low-density stand of a savannah oak, Quercus lobata Née. Specifically, we are interested in the proportional contributions of pollen donors, the pollen dispersal kernel that describes local matings, the extent to which wind influences mating success, and the extent to which pollen sources vary within the large canopy of these trees. Using maximum likelihood paternity analysis, we assigned sires for 474 outcrossed progeny of five seed trees, representing 120 of 160 potential mating pairs within a 250 m radius of each focal tree (ca. 20 ha plots). We first established that the effective number of pollen donors for progeny with sires within the plot was about 10 individuals, with average weighted pollination distances of 114.1 m. We estimated 18.5% pollen immigration into the 20 ha plots. We next established that the SDD portion of the dispersal kernel is best described by the exponential power, inverse power, and Weibull functions, all that capture high local dispersal with steep decay. Two of these models suggest that long distance dispersal is abundant, represented by a fat tail, while the Weibull indicates depauperate long distance dispersal, represented by a thin tail. The addition of a directional component corresponding to the predominant wind axis had no meaningful impact on these models. Finally, we established that different parts of an individual tree canopy of Q. lobata sample from the same homogeneous pollen pool showing no bias towards pollen sources near that part of the canopy. Overall findings suggest low-density Q. lobata populations show steep decay of SDD. Policies and ordinances governing the amount of allowable tree removal of savannah oak populations should recommend the preservation of local clusters of adults, as well as some connectivity among clusters.     

Divergence among Masson pine parents revealed by geographical origins and SSR markers and their relationships with progeny performance

Predicting progeny performance from parental divergence would potentially enhance the efficiency of breeding. Thirteen clones of Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) were crossed in a 4 × 9 tester mating design and 36 full-sib families were generated. There were significant variations in major growth traits and heterosis of growth traits among the 36 full-sib families. A total of 115 alleles were detected with 30 sets of SSR primers. Genetic distances (GDs) among the crossed clonal pairs were calculated based on SSR data. Parental GDs was significantly correlated with all traits evaluated in the full-sib progeny test (P < 0.05), and the correlation coefficient was 0.398, 0.463 and 0.473 for tree height, DBH and wood volume. Parental geographical divergence was also significantly correlated with growth traits of progeny, while the correlation coefficient was lower than that of GDs. These results demonstrated the potential and feasibility of SSR markers for predicting progeny performance of Masson pine. Considering the influence of genotype × environment interaction effect on the stability of full-sib family performance, our results regarding the moderate contribution of parent GDs in predicting the performance of their full-sib progenies is of importance mainly for the specific region where the progeny test was carried out.     

Improved varieties perform well in realized genetic gain trials with Norway spruce seed sources in southern Sweden

ABSTRACT

Genetically improved Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) has been extensively used in operational plantations in Sweden. However, there have been few studies that aimed at verifying the realized genetic gain over a longer time span in plots established with one genetical entry. Two experimental series at six sites in southern Sweden, established purely for this purpose, were assessed. Early height growth of 10 Norway spruce seedlots of different genetic levels was compared. There were significant differences in height at the age of 5 and 8 years between improved and unimproved seed sources and the differences between most advanced material from the breeding front, represented by full-sib crossings of selected plus-trees, and unimproved Swedish spruce were 36% and 30% at the age of 5 and 8 years, respectively. At the same ages, the trees originating from the second round of seed-orchards were 25% and 21% higher than unimproved material. There were also about 20% differences between the best and worst tested full-sib families, indicating large possible gain in the new generation. The study confirmed earlier estimates of genetic gain levels of different seed sources in the breeding program for Norway spruce.     

Stress-wave velocity of trees and dynamic Young’s modulus of logs of 4-year-old Eucalyptus camaldulensis trees selected for pulpwood production in Thailand

Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. is extensively planted in Thailand to produce wood chips used as raw material for pulp and paper. To promote the utilization of the wood from plantation-grown E. camaldulensis for solid lumber, stress-wave velocity of trees and dynamic Young’s modulus of logs were investigated for 4-year-old trees of eight half-sib families selected for pulpwood production on the basis of the growth characteristics in the previous tree breeding program. For the eight families, the mean stem diameter at 1.3 m above ground level and mean tree height were 7.6 cm and 11.9 m, respectively. The mean stress-wave velocity of eight families was 3.45 km/s. Dynamic Young’s modulus of logs ranged from 7.88 to 17.64 GPa, and the mean value for the eight families was 11.72 GPa. Stress-wave velocity of trees was significantly correlated with dynamic Young’s modulus of logs, suggesting that dynamic Young’s modulus of wood can be evaluated nondestructively by stress-wave velocity of trees. Significant differences in stress-wave velocity and dynamic Young’s modulus of logs were obtained among families. Thus, to promote the utilization of E. camaldulensis wood for solid lumber production, selection of trees with high Young’s modulus should be applied to trees already selected for the growth characteristics in the previous tree breeding program.     

Variation analyses of controlled pollinated families and parental combining ability of Pinus koraiensis

To evaluate and select elite Pinus koraiensis parent combinations and offspring families, 34 full-sib families were evaluated. Variance analysis of tree height, diameter at breast height and volume showed no significant differences among each block, the interaction of block, male and female. The family heritability of all traits were high( 0.9). Phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variance of height, diameter at breast height, and volume showed that the phenotypic coefficient of variation of volume in the same combination was higher than height and diameter at breast height, indicating that volume was the main factor determining excellent single plant selection. The female and male trees with the best general combining ability indicated that the optimal parental hybridization was not necessarily the optimal combination. In addition, the least parents of hybrid offspring performance were always relatively poor and should not be selected as hybrid parents. Additionally, we found there was no significant difference among the effects of female and male parents by random modelling, but there were significant differences by fixed modelling. The most significant effect of female-and male interaction, and the selection of better female or male parents in the test parent group should be efficient as well as the results of significant variation among them by fixed modelling. For the evaluated breeding population of P. koraiensis, the backward selection of excellent parent combinations or forward selection of excellent individuals as progeny should be the major breeding strategies.     

Secondary forest floristic composition, structure, and spatial pattern in subtropical China

Secondary evergreen broadleaved forests are precious remnants for biodiversity conservation and templates for sustainable management of natural forests in subtropical China. Floristic composition, size structure, and spatial pattern of dominant tree species have been investigated for a subtropical secondary evergreen broadleaved forest in the Huitong Yingzuijie National Forest Reserve, Hunan, China. The location of all trees greater than 4 cm in diameter at breast height (DBH) were mapped within a 0.96-ha plot in which species, DBH, and total tree height were recorded. Ripley’s K(t) function was used to analyze spatial patterns and associations. The secondary forest consisted of 74 tree species and 1,596 stems per hectare. A reverse-J shaped DBH classes distribution was observed for all stems and trees of later seral species whereas trees of earlier successional species were distributed irregularly. Significant aggregated spatial patterns were observed for all trees within the forest and for conspecific trees of each dominant species. This result, and a repulsive spatial pattern for interspecific trees of Choerospondias axillaries and Cyclobalanopsis glauca against other dominant tree species, support segregation hypothesis. Contributions of seed dispersal, topographic heterogeneity, and competition to spatial patterns of conspecific trees vary depending on tree species. Attractive spatial pattern among interspecific trees of Liquidambar fortunei, Liquidambar formosana, and Pinus massoniana reflects stochastic colonization of pioneer tree species and a facilitation relationship. Although deciduous species are long-lived and persist over long successional processes, they will eventually be replaced by late seral evergreen species within the secondary forest if no disturbance events occur.     

Estimation of genetic parameters on growth characteristics of a 35-year-old Pinus koraiensis progeny trial in South Korea

The effects of genetic and environmental factors on Pinus koraiensis growth were studied based on a35 year-old progeny trial composed of open-pollinated offspring of twenty-one plus trees.Height,DBH and volume of the offspring was analyzed using restricted maximum likelihood/best linear unbiased prediction in mixed model analysis.Significant site and family effects on the three traits were observed.The distinct growth of offspring by site with disparate climates corroborated the importance of planting species in suitable conditions.Growth differences by family was significant,emphasizing the importance of identifying families with either superior or inferior performance.The parental ranking was assigned in the sites,inferring the breeding value of each plus tree.The estimates of individual heritability(h_i~2) of height,DBH and volume growth were0.169-0.645,0.108-0.331 and 0.129-0.343 respectively,with higher h_i~2 of the height than DBH on each site.Coefficient of variance of genetic effect was higher with DBH in some cases,indicating the scope for selection is larger for this trait despite the lower heritability compared to height.For the variation between families in terms of the performance stability across sites,consideration of the genotype by environment interaction is required in selecting materials to be used in reforestation with Korean pine.A few families with either superior or inferior performance retained their parental ranking for at least a decade.Other families with increased growth on a particular site were identified,indicating their high breeding value and low stability.Differences in the genetic performance of the families by site requires delineation of the breeding region of the species.     

枫香优树14年生子代遗传变异及选择

在福建省洋口国有林场,对来自安徽省南部黄山地区的53个枫香家系进行子代测定,研究家系的遗传变异规律,开展优良家系及单株选择.结果表明:子代试验林14年生时,树高、胸径和单株材积平均值分别为8.05m、6.30cm和0.014 93 m3,生长性状的家系遗传力为0.437～0.576,受中强度的遗传控制,单株遗传力为D.113～0.195,受较弱的遗传控制;木材材性的家系遗传力为0.507～ 0.591,单株遗传力为0.360～0.500,均受中强度的遗传控制.以生长量为主要指标,选出速生优良家系9个,其树高、胸径和单株材积平均值分别为8.85 m、7.22 cm和0.021 49 m3,遗传增益分别为2.86％、5.47％和13.4％;从木材基本密度大于0.500 g·m-3的家系中选出7个生长材性兼优家系,树高、胸径、单株材积和木材基本密度的平均值分别为8.34m、6.79 cm、0.018 58 m3和0.518 g·m-3.所选出的速生优良家系和生长材性兼优家系可作为枫香育种材料在生产上推广应用.     

Gene dispersal within forest tree populations

Patterns of gene dispersal by seeds and pollen greatly influence the genetic structure of plant populations and their effective size. This paper reviews methods of measuring gene dispersal and current information on patterns of dispersal within local populations of forest trees. Recently, a number of statistical procedures for investigating gene movement based on the use of large numbers of isozyme loci have been described. These procedures include various forms of parentage analysis and the fitting of mating models to genotypic arrays of offspring from individual maternal plants. With the levels of genetic discrimination currently possible in forest trees, the model approach appears to be the most reliable means of estimating gene dispersal parameters. Too little data are available to draw general conclusions about patterns of gene movement within natural populations. Nevertheless, reports to date indicate that dispersal by both pollen and seed can be considerable. For any one mother tree, the bulk of effective pollen in conifers may come from distant males in the same stand or from surrounding stands (gene flow). In insect-pollinated angiosperms, gene flow may also be substantial, but cross-fertilization within stands may primarily be between nearest flowering trees.     

Effects of selective logging on the mating system and pollen dispersal of Hymenaea courbaril L. (Leguminosae) in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon as revealed by microsatellite analysis

Using nine microsatellite loci, we studied the effects of selective logging on genetic diversity, mating system and pollen dispersal in a population of the tree species Hymenaea courbaril, located in a 546 ha plot in the Tapajós National Forest, Pará State, Brazil. We analyzed 250 offspring (nursery reared seedlings) collected after a logging episode from 14 open-pollinated seed trees. These were compared to 367 seedlings from 20 open-pollinated seed trees previously collected from the pre-logging primary forest. The genetic diversity was significantly lower in the post-logging seed cohort. In contrast to the pre-logging population, significant levels of selfing were detected in the post-logging population (t_m = 0.962, P < 0.05). However, correlated matings were reduced and the effective number of pollen donors almost doubled after harvesting (3.8 against 7.2). Logging also reduced pollen immigration into the plot (from 55% to 38%) and we found no significant correlation between the size of the pollen donors and the number of seeds fathered. Inside the plot, pollen dispersal distance was shorter before logging than after (827 and 952 m, respectively) and the reproductive pollination neighbor area (A_ep) was larger (average of 178 ha). The individual and average variance effective population size within families (ranged from 1.80 to 3.21, average of 2.47) was lower than expected in panmictic populations (N_e = 4). The results indicate that while logging greatly reduced the levels of genetic diversity after logging, it also increased genetic recombination within the population and constrained crossing among related individuals. The results show that low-density tropical tree species such as H. courbaril, when harvested in moderate levels may be resilient to a reduction in the reproductive population and may maintain similar levels of outcrossing and pollen dispersal after logging.     

Pollen dispersal,mating patterns and pollen contamination in an insect-pollinated seed orchard of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schima superba</Emphasis> Gardn. et Champ.

Pollen flow and mating patterns are the most important factors influencing the genetic structure of insect-pollinated forest trees and are essential parts of genetic management in seed orchards. We investigated pollen flow, the mating system and the level of pollen contamination in a clonal seed orchard of Schima superba Gardn. et Champ. In total, 328 open-pollination progenies coming from 11 mother trees were identified using 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci. A total of 203 full-sib families were identified and were nested among the 11 studied seed donors. The male reproductive success rate from 0.49 to 7.77% for most male parents, with an average of 2.44%. More than 80% of the crosses were found within a distance of 60 m, and the most frequent pollination distance between female parent and male parents was approximately 20 m. Mating system analysis showed that the outcrossing level was very high (t _m  = 1.000, outcrossing rate = 98.5%) in the seed orchard and that there was an average of 2.3 effective pollen donors (N _ep ) per female parent. In addition, the mating success of individual males within neighborhoods was moderately influenced by their fecundity and the direction of their location relative to mother trees. The pollen contamination from outside the seed orchard was high (7.01%). Our findings are valuable for the assessment of seed orchards, and it may be worthwhile to use pollen management strategies to decrease pollen contamination and increase the genetic quality of the seeds produced.     

日本落叶松×长白落叶松杂种光合性状的父、母本效应研究

以辽宁大孤家杂种实生采穗园中的采穗母株为研究材料,对3个不同母本与同一多父本混合花粉杂交组合家系及3个同一母本与不同单一父本杂交组合家系进行了光响应曲线及CO₂响应曲线的测定,以分析父母本对日本落叶松×长白落叶松杂种光合性状的影响。结果表明:不同母本与同一多父本混合花粉杂交组合间的表观量子效率、暗呼吸速率、羧化效率存在显著差异,光补偿点、CO₂补偿点存在极显著差异,其他指标差异不显著,表现出较强的母本效应;同一母本与不同父本杂交组合间只有暗呼吸速率差异极显著,其他指标差异不显著,表现出较弱的父本效应。在高光效亲本选择时,应特别重视母本对杂种的影响。     

西南桦优树选择技术研究

以胸径、树高、材积为数量评价指标,结合干形、冠高比和分枝粗细形质指标,采用5株优势木对比法开展了西南桦人工林的优树选择技术研究。通过对西南桦人工林10 21年生不同林龄阶段的优树选择标准的总结,提出了优树选择标准,即优树胸径、树高、单株材积分别大于5株对比优势木平均值的9%11%、5%7%、26%31%以上,形质指标综合得分大于7.5,共选择出西南桦优树37株,入选率为33.9%。西南桦优树的选择标准在实际应用中可根据林分状况适当调整,选优即要考虑其生长性状,同时注意材性、抗性的选择以保证西南桦育种群体的遗传多样性。     

Genetic evidence for paternal inheritance of the chloroplast in four Australian Callitris species (Cupressaceae)

The mode of chloroplast inheritance was investigated in the four Australian conifer species; Callitris columellaris, C. intratropica, C. gracilis and C. verrucosa (Callitroideae, Cupressaceae), as a basis for future use of chloroplast genetic markers for the genus. Open-pollinated seeds and the foliage tissue of the mother trees were collected from one population per species, in which two distinct chloroplast haplotypes at the trnL (UAA) 5′ exon–trnF (GAA) region were co-distributed. In total, the DNA sequences of the chloroplast fragments in 255 samples were determined, and the haplotypes of the germinated seedlings and the mother trees were compared. Among the 16 mother trees examined across all species, 12 trees were shown to have produced at least one offspring with a different haplotype from the mother, indicating the occurrence of paternal inheritance of chloroplast in the fertilization processes. In binomial GLMM analyses, the haplotype of mother trees in C. columellaris, C. gracilis, and C. verrucosa did not significantly affect those of their offspring, and the predicted frequency of seedlings’ haplotypes was compatible with the observed frequency in adult canopy trees. These findings provide a genetic support that paternal inheritance of chloroplast DNA via pollen dispersal would be dominant in the Callitris species.     

An examination on the site–family interaction of tree height of open-pollinated families of hinoki (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecyparis obtusa</Emphasis>) plus trees in the Kansai Forest tree breeding region

Stability analyses to evaluate site–family interaction for tree height at 15 years old were conducted in trials of open-pollinated families of hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl.) plus trees established in the Honshu and Shikoku area of the Kansai Forest tree breeding region, Japan. The Honshu area included 103 sites (226 families), and the Shikoku area included 27 sites (62 families). Analyses of variance indicated that the interaction between site and family was not significant in the Honshu area, whereas in the Shikoku area the interaction was significant. The stability analyses regressed the family–site means against site means. The linear regression analysis was carried out using the data for 164 families that were tested at five or more test sites from the 130 test sites. Approximately 93% of families had values of linear regression coefficient that were not significantly different from unity. These results suggest that almost every open-pollinated family of hinoki plus trees have average stability and are equally well adapted to good and poor sites. The differences in the reaction of a family to site productivity are not the main causes of the interaction.