Betula ermanii range-wide provenance trial: Survival, height, diameter, and productivity data

Understanding the response of Betula ermanii populations to climate change
is crucial for conservation efforts. Range-wide provenance trials provide
valuable insights into local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity, aiding
in the maintenance of productivity in boreal and alpine forest ecosystems.
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of climate change on survival and
productivity of B. ermanii, and to formulate conservation strategies for
future climates. Using survival and growth data from provenance trials,
models were developed and applied to projected climate scenarios obtained
from WorldClim. Results indicated that populations at the southern edge
and thermal limit experienced more pronounced declines in survival and
productivity compared to others. Particularly, the southern-edge
population struggled to survive in situ under severe climate warming,
while the high-altitude edge population faced challenges in surviving ex
situ. These findings emphasize the necessity of integrating both in situ
and ex situ conservation measures tailored to source populations and the
severity of climate change. Range-wide provenance trial data provide
valuable insights into how climatic responses affect populations, guiding
conservation efforts for Betula ermanii in the face of changing
environmental conditions.