Key message Genetic components explain a moderate, yet statistically significant proportion of the phenotypic variation in tree architecture and hydraulic traits of beech trees growing in naturally regenerated monospecific stands. Abstract Drought tolerance of European beech has been increasingly questioned in recent years. However, the influence of genetic factors and forest management on growth performance and key hydraulic...

In the course of the 4th German National Forest Inventory, samples of the two oak species Quercus robur and Quercus petraea were collected throughout Germany. Genetic analyses were performed based on 403 nuclear, 21 chloroplast and 7 mitochondrial markers. The analyses showed good differentiation between the two species based on genetic data. Both species are connected through hybridization and introgression, but only about 2%...

Genetic diversity is considered to be a prerequisite for adaptation and adaptability as it is a key element of biological diversity. However, the monitoring of genetic diversity has tended to be ignored in biodiversity monitoring. We report a comprehensive genetic monitoring effort in two dominant forest tree species, which was started with a baseline survey in 12 European beech populations and 10 Norway spruce populations in...

Metabarcoding is emerging as an alternative to morphological methods in noninvasive carnivore diet analysis based on scats. A number of metabarcoding markers have been developed but their comparative performance to recover DNA from scats remains mostly untested. We tested three markers covering a wide taxonomic range of prey items and compared them with the results of a morphological analysis. Morphological and genetic methods...

Adult individuals and seeds of two mixed stands of coastal and interior Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) were analysed for genetic differentiation between the two varieties and evidence of intervarietal pollination. Clear genetic discrimination between the two varieties was observed based on multilocus evaluation of nine microsatellite markers using other Douglas-fir stands of known variety composition for c...

In Germany, Douglas fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii Franco) is seen as a valuable species for future cultivation in times of climate change. Local seed production in seed stands and seed orchards may secure that local adaptation is transferred to the next generation, but small population sizes could lower genetic diversity and thus future adaptability. Here we analyse the transfer of genetic diversity from parent to offspring gene...