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Phenotypic plasticity and inter-individual variability in Fagus sylvatica L. xylem traits challenge assisted
Lucrezia Unterholzner1, Juliane Stolz1, Marieke van der Maaten-Theunissen1
1Chair of Forest Growth and Woody Biomass Production, TU Dresden, Tharandt, Germany.
The Science of the Total Environment
|September 28, 2025
Summary
Phenotypic plasticity in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) xylem traits varies by site and trait. Maintaining genetic diversity is key for forest resilience to climate change, rather than selecting specific provenances.
Area of Science:
- Forestry science
- Climate change adaptation
- Plant physiology
Background:
- European forest ecosystems face significant threats from climate change and extreme weather.
- European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is highly vulnerable to drought, necessitating research into its adaptive capacities.
- Understanding phenotypic plasticity is crucial for predicting forest responses to environmental shifts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of phenotypic plasticity in xylem anatomical traits of European beech.
- To assess how different environmental conditions at trial sites influence these traits.
- To examine the influence of provenance and intra-population variation on trait plasticity.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative wood anatomy was used to analyze xylem traits in European beech from 15 provenances across three German trial sites.
- Key traits measured included mean ring width (MRW), mean vessel area (MVA), vessel density (VD), vessel grouping index (RVGI), and percentage of conductive area (RCTA).
- Statistical analyses were performed to differentiate the effects of site conditions, provenance, and individual tree variability.
Main Results:
- Site conditions significantly influenced MRW, MVA, and VD, indicating strong environmental plasticity for these traits.
- Provenance had a greater effect on RVGI and RCTA, suggesting genetic control over these specific xylem characteristics.
- Climate sensitivity varied by site, with northern sites more sensitive to temperature and central/southern sites to drought; no clear link was found between provenance origin and drought adaptation.
- Individual tree variability played a substantial role, highlighting the importance of intra-population genetic diversity.
Conclusions:
- Trait-specific plasticity in European beech xylem anatomy complicates predictions of provenance performance under climate change.
- Maintaining high genetic diversity within populations may be more effective for enhancing forest resilience than selecting specific provenances for assisted migration.
- Findings support adaptive forest management strategies focused on preserving genetic resources for climate resilience.
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