Genetic variation in growth and leaf traits associated with local adaptation to climate in yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton)

Understanding patterns of variation in functional traits of hardwood trees is crucial for conserving and managing North American temperate forests under climate change. This study examined provenance variation of yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton) in growth, biomass allocation, leaf morphology, and stable carbon isotope composition. Trees were grown from ten seed sources originating from across Canada and the northern USA. Height and diameter were not significantly related to climate at seed origin, suggesting that variation may be better explained by site factors, such as soil pH and soil moisture. In contrast, carbon isotope composition and leaf morphological traits were significantly correlated to climate variables including temperature, precipitation, and solar radiation. Provenances from warmer, drier localities tended to have higher stable carbon isotope ratio (δ13C), greater specific leaf area, and narrower leaf width than their counterparts from cooler, wetter climates..., , , # Data from: Genetic variation in growth and leaf traits associated with local adaptation to climate in yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton)

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The dataset contains raw data for measurements of functional traits of yellow birch seedlings measured in a greenhouse common garden experiment. Measured traits pertain to growth, biomass allocation, carbon isotope composition, and leaf morphology.

## Description of the data and file structure

The file 'Height_Diameter_200Seedlings.csv' contains raw measurements of total height (cm) and root collar diameter (cm) of all seedlings (n=200) in the common garden trial at two years of age

The file 'Biomass_LeafMorphology_40Seedlings.csv' contains raw measurements of one seedling per provenance per block (n=40) of 26 traits including:

1. leaf weight (g)
2. branch weight (g)
3. stem weight (g)
4. root weight (g)
5. aboveground biomass (g)
6. total seedling weight (g)
7. ratio of leaf:total weight
8. ratio of branch:total weight
9....