Page 276 - PC2019 Program & Proceedings

PLANT CANADA 2019

P125. Assisted migration of whitebark pine to higher latitudes and elevations in the Canadian
Cordillera
Haeussler, S.; L. Tackaberry; Massicotte, H.
University of Northern British Columbia

Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) is a western North America species highly susceptible to warming
climate. An assisted migration trial, established at its northwest-northeast range limit in BC: (1) tested if
lack of mycorrhizal fungal symbionts could inhibit seedling migration into alpine tundra beyond current
range; (2) compared performance of 5 provenances (from western Washington to central BC) planted at
elevations north and above native range. In 2008, seedlings were grown in a nursery trial in subalpine and
alpine soils from the western and eastern Cordillera. Sub-sampled seedlings were out-planted at 3
elevations (Bulkley Ranges, western Cordillera, 2012), and two elevations (Rocky Mountain Ranges,
eastern Cordillera, 2013). Ten years after germination, there was no evidence that lack of mycorrhizal
fungi in alpine soils inhibited survival and growth. Nursery mycorrhizal colonization was excellent in
alpine and subalpine soils. Out-planted seedlings grown in western and eastern alpine soils had larger
diameters compared to subalpine soils (p = 0.001); seedlings retained this growth advantage 5-6 yr later
(p = 0.05). All provenances survived at >80%. Significant differences in survival, height and diameter
were not detected among provenances. Height and diameter appeared positively correlated to each
provenance’s seed collection elevation relative to treeline elevation. Apparently, all provenances are
adapted to harsh, variable climates and can be translocated northward in latitude and into alpine zones at
low risk for early establishment.

Hugues Massicotte (Hugues.Massicotte@unbc.ca)

P126. Below-ground facilitation between tree species in the re-vegetalization of a degraded site
1
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1
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2
Pawuluwage, S. ; P. Marchand ; N. Fenton ; M. Roy ; B. Lafleur
1 Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)
2 Université Paul Sabatier – CNRS
Mycorrhizal symbiosis plays a key role in ecological processes like plant succession through the
redistribution of resources among host plants with different needs. Mycorrhizal mycelia produce
Common Mycorrhizal Networks (CMNs) by colonizing roots of neighboring trees, and these CMNs
facilitate the uptake and transportation of nutrients among plants. In this study, we aim to determine how
seedling growth and survival is affected by below-ground facilitation via mycorrhizal networks.
Specifically, we will i) determine which intraspecific and interspecific interactions affect seedling growth
at an early successional stage on a former mining site, ii) identify existing mycorrhizae species and types
using molecular analysis and iii) if evidence of facilitation is found in i), determine whether this
facilitation is due to mycorrhizal networks or due to other factors. Betula papyrifera, Populus
balsamifera, Picea glauca and Thuja occidentalis will be used as focal species and the effect of
neighbouring plants will be identified. Content (mg) and concentration (mg/g) of C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg and
Mn in soil and leaf samples will be analyzed using CNS analyzer, colorimeter and atomic absorption
methods. Communities of mycorrhizal fungi will be sequenced and analyzed to detect possible species
sharing using genetic analysis. Structural equation models will be used to separate effects of tree age, soil
nutrients and contaminants, CMNs and other possible factors on seedling growth.

Supun Pawuluwage (paws02@uqat.ca)

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