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Genetic legacy of rare dwarf trees is widespread

Date:
April 24, 2014
Source:
Queen Mary, University of London
Summary:
Genetic evidence that one of Britain's native tree species, the dwarf birch found in the Scottish Highlands, was once common in England has been found by researchers. The genes reflect a much wider distribution occupied by the "wee tree" when the British climate was colder. "As dwarf birch moved north, some of its genes were picked up by downy birch trees, which spread through Britain at the cost of dwarf birch. The two species cross-pollinated in many parts of Britain after the last glacial maximum as the climate warmed and ice age glaciers melted away," they noted.
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Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have found genetic evidence that one of Britain's native tree species, the dwarf birch found in the Scottish Highlands, was once common in England.

Genes from dwarf birch were found in birch tree populations across Britain, which reflects a much wider distribution occupied by the "wee tree" when the British climate was colder.

"We seem to have found genetic footprints of the retreat of dwarf birch into its current refuges in the Scottish Highlands," said Dr Richard Buggs, Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary's School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, who led the research.

"As dwarf birch moved north, some of its genes were picked up by downy birch trees, which spread through Britain at the cost of dwarf birch. The two species cross-pollinated in many parts of Britain after the last glacial maximum as the climate warmed and ice age glaciers melted away."

Co-author and PhD student Nian Wang adds: "Our genetic results fit well with the fact that fossil pollen from dwarf birch has been found in parts of England and Wales. As global warming continues, stray genes and fossils could be all that is left of dwarf birch in Britain."

The current scarcity of dwarf birch seems to be a combination of the effects of global warming, deer grazing and burning plants and trees on moors.

Another risk the study highlights is hybridisation or cross-breeding. Richard Nichols, Professor of Evolutionary Genetics at QMUL points out: "We suspect that the influx of pollen from other birch species is actively harmful to the dwarf populations, especially since the larger trees produce much more pollen."

The study has good news for conservation groups planting dwarf birch. By using computer models to predict ecological niches, the scientists identified many areas where dwarf birch could potentially grow under current climates.


Story Source:

Materials provided by Queen Mary, University of London. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Nian Wang, James S. Borrell, William J. A. Bodles, Ana Kuttapitiya, Richard A. Nichols, Richard J. A. Buggs. Molecular footprints of the Holocene retreat of dwarf birch in Britain. Molecular Ecology, 2014; DOI: 10.1111/mec.12768

Cite This Page:

Queen Mary, University of London. "Genetic legacy of rare dwarf trees is widespread." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 24 April 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140424223122.htm>.
Queen Mary, University of London. (2014, April 24). Genetic legacy of rare dwarf trees is widespread. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140424223122.htm
Queen Mary, University of London. "Genetic legacy of rare dwarf trees is widespread." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140424223122.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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