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Dryad

Data from: Provenance variation in functional traits of European forest trees: Meta-analysis reveals effects of taxa and age despite critical research gaps

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Jul 11, 2025 version files 1.08 MB

Abstract

Climate change is driving profound transformations in European forests. Understanding the adaptive potential of tree species is a key challenge for conservation and adaptation measures. A critical component of this adaptive potential lies in the intraspecific variation of functional traits. The long tradition in ecological genetics resulted in a plethora of studies across species, regions age classes and traits. Prior syntheses have rarely quantified trait-specific patterns and their variation across taxa and tree age. We conducted a systematic literature search to examine intraspecific variation in natural European tree populations. We identified four approaches to study intraspecific variation (i.e. provenance-effects, provenance environment interaction-effects, clinal-effects and transfer-effects). For each approach, we compared their prevalence to show an effect while also accounting for species, species group, and age. Our results found that intraspecific variation is common in European tree species, with tested traits showing significant provenance effects (73%), provenance environment-interaction effects (45%), linear clinal-effects (30%) and linear transfer-effects (38%). While growth traits were predominantly studied, several other traits showed higher frequencies of significant results. Specifically, reproduction, survival, phenology, plant morphology, plasticity, drought and frost tolerance are highly relevant but still understudied in comparison to growth. Conifer species demonstrated a higher prevalence of intraspecific variation compared to broadleaves. Despite the research clearly focusing on young trials, older trials tended to show higher frequencies of effects in phenology, growth, plant morphology and survival, suggesting accumulating environmental selection with growing tree age. Europe lacks essential information on intraspecific variation of tree species for the diversification, conservation and adaptation of its forests, especially in southern and south-eastern parts, where many species harbor high genetic diversity and are most vulnerable. The significant influence of age urges for a reanalysis, reestablishment, and maintenance of long-term trials. These trials should consider species and environmental conditions relevant for future scenarios.