Data from: Time to get moving: assisted gene flow of forest trees

Geographic variation in trees has been investigated since the mid-18th
century. Similar patterns of clinal variation have been observed along
latitudinal and elevational gradients in common garden experiments for
many temperate and boreal species. These studies convinced forest managers
that a ‘local is best’ seed source policy was usually safest for
reforestation. In recent decades, experimental design, phenotyping
methods, climatic data and statistical analyses have improved greatly and
refined but not radically changed knowledge of clines. The maintenance of
local adaptation despite high gene flow suggests selection for local
adaptation to climate is strong. Concerns over maladaptation resulting
from climate change have motivated many new genecological and population
genomics studies; however, few jurisdictions have implemented assisted
gene flow (AGF), the translocation of pre-adapted individuals to
facilitate adaptation of planted forests to climate change. Here, we
provide evidence that temperate tree species show clines along climatic
gradients sufficiently similar for average patterns or climate models to
guide AGF in the absence of species-specific knowledge. Composite
provenancing of multiple seed sources can be used to increase diversity
and buffer against future climate uncertainty. New knowledge will continue
to refine and improve AGF as climates warm further.