[MCN] Forest industry understands impact of climate change

[Lance Olsen]

Forestindustry.com   The forest industry networked online
http://www.forestindustry.com/

Predicting Douglas-fir's response to a warming climate
by Jessica Kirby December 28, 2015

Douglas-fir is an iconic tree in the Pacific 
Northwest. Although individual trees may appear 
to be identical, genetic differences within each 
tree have resulted from adaptation to the local 
environment. These genetic differences over time 
have resulted in differences among populations 
that are important to the species' survival and 
growth in changing climates.

Current climate models project that over the next 
50 years, the Pacific Northwest will experience 
an increase in summer temperatures. Combined with 
less winter snowpack, warmer summer temperatures 
will likely lead to more frequent and intense 
droughts, and it is unknown how Douglas-fir will 
respond.

Researchers with the U.S. Forest Service Pacific 
Northwest Research Station tested how seedlings 
from different populations of Douglas-fir would 
grow in temperature and precipitation conditions 
unlike the climate of their current seed source. 
By sampling 35 populations in three common garden 
sites, researchers determined how a combination 
of genetic factors and environmental conditions 
influence drought-tolerant traits.

Trees grown in a warm, dry environment had lower 
rates of water loss compared to seedlings grown 
in cooler environments. Furthermore, researchers 
identified populations that had high drought 
tolerance and relatively fast growth. This means 
that although Douglas-fir as a species is 
relatively drought tolerant, some populations are 
better adapted to future climate conditions than 
others.
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"Š the serious meaning in a concept lies in 
the difference it will make to someone if it is 
true."
  William James (1842-1910)
Pragmatism. Meridian Books, 1955
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