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Home → Publications → Climate Change / Assisted Migration → Adaptive variation in cold hardiness of eastern larch, Larix laricina, in northern Ontario

Adaptive variation in cold hardiness of eastern larch, Larix laricina, in northern Ontario

Joyce, D. G. 1988. Canadian Journal of Botany, Volume 18: 85-89
Journal Article
Transfer Guideline: Recommendation

Ontario, Canada

Adaptive differentiation in cold hardiness of Larix laricina (DuRoi) K. Koch from 66 populations, primarily from northern Ontario, was studied using laboratory freezing tests. Population differentiation was greatest before the first frost. however, relative hardiness of populations before and after the first frost were strongly correlated. Hardiness was related to latitude, longitude, and elevation of population origins. Multiple regression analyses accounted for 74% of the variance among population means. Population differentiation was detected across relatively small geographic and elevational intervals. Consequently, in order to limit maladaptation, transfer of plant material in artificial reforestation should be carefully controlled.