U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Global Change and Photosynthesis Research: Urbana, IL
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    CareersSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Midwest Area Urbana, Illinois Global Change and Photosynthesis Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Ainsworth, Elizabeth

                                                         - *Lisa*
  Submitted to: Tree Physiology
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2016
                                    Publication  Date: 7/1/2016
                                    Citation: Ainsworth, E.A. 2016. The importance of intraspecific variation in tree responses to elevated [CO2]: breeding and management of future forests. Tree Physiology. 36:679-681.Interpretive Summary: This commentary examines the importance of understanding intraspecific variation in tree responses to elevated carbon dioxide concentrations for breeding and management of future forests. The basis for any breeding program is intraspecific variation in the traits of interest, and for forests, growth or biomass production is a key target trait. Meta-analysis of intraspecific variation in tree species responses to elevated [CO2] revealed considerable variation in the response of photosynthesis, stem biomass, stem volume and height, and discovered that the magnitude of intraspecific variation was similar to previous reports of interspecific variation in response to elevated [CO2]. This signifies potential for breeding trees for increased productivity at elevated [CO2]. Such benefits may be clear for commercial plantations that plant a more limited number of genotypes, but there may also be important benefits for natural forests which contain large within-population genetic variation. In those forests, CO2-responsive genotypes could be used in the future for assisted gene flow, the managed translocation of genotypes to new locations to facilitate adaptation to local environmental conditions.
                                Technical Abstract: One strategy for managing forests to sustain or increase productivity under global climate change is to initiate breeding programs which maximize responses to elevated [CO2] within species. The basis for any breeding program is intraspecific variation in the traits of interest, and for forests, growth or biomass production is a key target trait. After compiling data from 25 published manuscripts of 8 tree species, Resco de Dios et al. (2016) used meta-analysis to assess intraspecific variation in tree productivity responses to elevated [CO2]. They found considerable intraspecific variation in the [CO2] response of photosynthesis, stem biomass, stem volume and height, and discovered that the magnitude of intraspecific variation was similar to previous reports of interspecific variation in response to elevated [CO2]. This, they conclude, signifies great potential for breeding trees for increased productivity at elevated [CO2]. Breeding efforts could be supported by the development of eco-evolutionary models to guide breeders in selection of key traits for holistic improvement of fitness and the identification of quantitative trait loci and candidate genes important for adaptation of trees to elevated [CO2]. Additionally, CO2-responsive genotypes could be used in the future for assisted gene flow in natural forest ecosystems.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov