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Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is the only pine species native to northern Europe, and it is the most common tree species in the Baltic states. In Estonia, P. sylvestris covers almost 38% of Estonian forests and it is the key dominant species, especially in nutrient-limited sites, including characteristic Estonian extremely infertile raised bogs.

In this study, the researchers at the Estonian University of Life Sciences teamed up with Brazilian, Iranian and Swiss colleagues to study genetic variability and population structure of P. sylvestris in distant naturally-seeded bog populations positioned at the fertility limit of this species. The team hypothesized that there is a high level of outbreeding and consequently a high genetic variability at the nutrient limit of the species, and further that there is a spatial gradient in genetic relatedness indicative of the genetic component of phenotypic plasticity in the organic-mineral soil continuum. These hypotheses were partly supported by data that indicated greater within- than among-population variability and a certain spatial population structuring, reflecting small-scale adaptation. This study provides important insight into the overall genetic variability and sub-population differentiation in nutrient-limited sites. This information is of crucial value in understanding species adaptability to environmental heterogeneity and has important practical applications in selecting plant sources suitable for reforestation. Especially for reforestation of nutrient-limited habitats, e.g., degraded habitats where tree growth is particularly strongly curbed by limited soil fertility. The study was published in leading forestry journal European Journal of Forest Research.

For more information: Ülo Niinemets (ylo.niinemets@emu.ee)

Pazouki L, Salehi Shanjani P, Fields PD, Martins K, Suhhorutšenko M, Viinalass H, Niinemets Ü (2015) Large within-population genetic diversity of the widespread conifer Pinus sylvestris at its soil fertility limit characterized by nuclear and chloroplast microsatellite markers. European Journal of Forest Research, DOI:  10.1007/s10342-015-0928-5