Full text of this article is only available in PDF format.

Alpo Luomajoki (email)

Climatic adaptation of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Finland based on male flowering phenology

Luomajoki A. (1993). Climatic adaptation of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Finland based on male flowering phenology. Acta Forestalia Fennica no. 237 article id 7683. https://doi.org/10.14214/aff.7683

Abstract

Timing of anthesis in 21 Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands from 14 localities in Finland was studied at the canopy level in 1963-74. Distribution of pollen catches were compared with the normal Gaussian distribution. The basis for the timing studies was the 50 per cent point of the anthesis-fitted normal distribution. Development was characterized in calendar days, in degree days (>5°C) and in period units. The count of each unit began on March 19 (included).

Period unit was found to be the most accurate delineation of development. Locally, calendar days were sometimes a more accurate parameter. Anthesis in Northern Finland occurred at a later date than in the south as was expected, but at lower heat sum. The variation in the timing of anthesis and the variation of pollen catches increased northwards. The geographical correlations calculated against distances measured along simulated post-glacial migration routes were stronger than purely latitudinal correlations. Effects of the reinvasion of Scots pine into Finland are thus still visible in pine populations.

The proportion of the average annual heat sum needed for anthesis grew rapidly above a latitude of 63° even though the heat sum needed for anthesis decreased towards the timberline. In light of flowering phenology, it seemed probable that the northern populations in Scots pine in Finland have still not completely adapted to the prevailing cold climate at these latitudes. A moderate warming of the climate would therefore be beneficial for Scots pine.

The PDF includes a summary in Finnish.

Keywords
Pinus sylvestris; adaptation; anthesis; flowering phenology; pollen recording; heat sum; reinvasion

Published in 1993

Views 1261

Available at https://doi.org/10.14214/aff.7683 | Download PDF

Creative Commons License CC BY-SA 4.0

Register
Click this link to register to Silva Fennica.
Log in
If you are a registered user, log in to save your selected articles for later access.
Contents alert
Sign up to receive alerts of new content

Your selected articles
Your search results