Examining maternal effects and genetic differentiation in P. flexilis and P. aristata to improve success of conservation actions

Abstract

As the climate changes and invasive species continue to spread, proactive management may be needed to conserve native plant populations. Selecting appropriate plant material for restoration or other actions that will sustain populations is an integral part of any such plan and must take into account genetic differentiation to limit maladaptation. Common garden studies are used to determine the genetic basis of trait variation among populations from different geographic sources. However, maternal effects, the effect of environment during offspring development, can also affect performance, complicating the interpretation of these studies. Growing one generation in a common environment can help correct for maternal effects, but is often not practical with long-lived species. Using limber pine (Pinus flexilis) and Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata) as model species, I explored the contribution of maternal effects to early seedling growth among populations in a greenhouse common garden study. I grew offspring sourced over multiple years from the same mother trees, comparing growth traits between source years. Additionally, I collected five twig clippings from the upper canopy of each mother tree and measured characteristics indicative of the relative vigor of the tree during each seed source year.

Citation

Borgman, Erin M. 2013. Examining maternal effects and genetic differentiation in P. flexilis and P. aristata to improve success of conservation actions. Fort Collins, CO: Colorado State University. 53 p. Thesis.