Abstract Detail

Ecophysiology

Jackson , Whitney April [1], STRUWE, LENA [2].

Physiological and morphological variation within the hard maple complex.

Future climactic changes have been modeled and predict extended periods of water deprivation and increasing thermal loads in the northeastern United States. Historically, plant selection in urban forestry has prioritized aesthetic value of trees without fully considering the urban forest’s capacity to withstand intensifying environmental conditions. Provenance characteristics can influence species capacity to survive when facing novel environments. When establishing plant selection criteria it is crucial therefore, to consider species provenance. A species might be aesthetically desired for a particular site; however, within and among species, there can exist enough genetic variation that successful selection of transplanting stock can be suggested. One example is Acer saccharum, or Sugar Maple; a member of a group of closely related taxa, known as the “hard maple group.” In the northeastern United States, sugar maple occupies a broad geographical range with varying soils, weather patterns, and elevations, with high economic value and ties to cultural identity. Sugar maple is sensitive to many conditions found in the urban environment and has been modeled to suffer a reduction in natural forest populations in the northeastern United States over the next 50 years. Sugar maple seedlings of various provenances were collected and subjected to drought and temperature stress through a series of controlled environment studies to show the impact of provenance on whole plant response to environmental variables of water availability and temperature. A LiCor 6400 Portable Photosynthesis System was used to measure and compare provenance responses of Acer saccharum ssp. saccharum and ssp. leucoderme. The relationships between physiological response to increasing thermal loading and water deficits, within a factorial study design will be discussed in correlation with genetic diversity and morphological expression within the same common garden and field measure within their natural forest setting.

1 - Rutgers University, Plant Biology and Pathology, 80 Nichol Avenue, Denison St, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901, United States
2 - Rutgers University, Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resorces, 237 Foran Hall, 59 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics
Session: 15
Location: Firs South/Boise Centre
Date: Tuesday, July 29th, 2014
Time: 10:15 AM
Number: 15009
Abstract ID:337
Candidate for Awards:Physiological Section Physiological Section Li-COR Prize