Geographic variation of morphological and physiological traits in Betula ermanii revealed by common garden experiment

抄録

Cold-temperate species are susceptible to increasing global temperature induced by climate change. Genetic diversity and phenotypic plasticity are crucial for survival of such species. In this study, geographic variation of morphological and physiological traits in cold-temperate species, Betula ermanii, was investigated by common garden experiment. We detected latitudinal clines of several traits. Seed and seedling size were larger in northern populations than southern ones. In contrast, specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf nitrogen content (N) are higher in southern populations than northern ones. We discuss adaptive reason why latitudinal cline of SLA is likely to be related to drought whereas latitudinal clines of several traits should be caused in relation with cold tolerance.