Data from: Genotypic variation in a foundation tree (Populus tremula L.) explains community structure of associated epiphytes

Community genetics hypothesizes that within a foundation species the
genotype of an individual significantly influences the assemblage of
dependent organisms. To assess whether these intra-specific genetic
effects are ecologically important, it is required to compare their impact
on dependent organisms with that attributable to environmental variation
experienced over relevant spatial scales. We assessed bark epiphytes on 27
aspen (Populus tremula L.) genotypes grown in a randomized experimental
array at two contrasting sites spanning the environmental conditions from
which the aspen genotypes were collected. We found that variation in aspen
genotype significantly influenced bark epiphyte community composition, and
to the same degree as environmental variation between the test sites. We
conclude that maintaining genotypic diversity of foundation species may be
crucial for conservation of associated biodiversity.