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Climate lags and genetics determine phenology in quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides)

Journal Article · · New Phytologist
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.18850· OSTI ID:2998784
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [1];  [1];  [3];  [3];  [4];  [1];  [5];  [6]
  1. University of California, Berkeley, CA (United States); Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Crested Butte, CO (United States)
  2. California Institute of Technology (CalTech), Pasadena, CA (United States). Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
  3. Carnegie Inst. of Science, Stanford, CA (United States)
  4. Boston University, MA (United States)
  5. Princeton University, NJ (United States); Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
  6. Utah State University, Logan, UT (United States)
Spatiotemporal patterns of phenology may be affected by mosaics of environmental and genetic variation. Environmental drivers may have temporally lagged impacts, but patterns and mechanisms remain poorly known. Here, we combine multiple genomic, remotely sensed, and physically modeled datasets to determine the spatiotemporal patterns and drivers of canopy phenology in quaking aspen, a widespread clonal dioecious tree species with diploid and triploid cytotypes. We show that over 391 km2 of southwestern Colorado: greenup date, greendown date, and growing season length vary by weeks and differ across sexes, cytotypes, and genotypes; phenology has high phenotypic plasticity and heritabilities of 31–61% (interquartile range); and snowmelt date, soil moisture, and air temperature predict phenology, at temporal lags of up to 3 yr. Our study shows that lagged environmental effects are needed to explain phenological variation and that the effect of cytotype on phenology is obscured by its correlation with topography. Phenological patterns are consistent with responses to multiyear accumulation of carbon deficit or hydraulic damage.
Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Science Foundation (NSF); USDA; USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
2998784
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA--182758
Journal Information:
New Phytologist, Journal Name: New Phytologist Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 238; ISSN 0028-646X; ISSN 1469-8137
Publisher:
WileyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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