Decreased phenolic defence in dwarf birch (Betula nana) after warming in subarctic tundra

Polar Biology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (12) ◽  
pp. 1993-2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Stark ◽  
M. Väisänen ◽  
H. Ylänne ◽  
R. Julkunen-Tiitto ◽  
F. Martz
Keyword(s):  
Betula Nana ◽  
Dwarf Birch

Demographic variation of dwarf birch (Betula nana) in communities dominated by Ledum palustre and Vaccinium uliginosum

Biologia ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wojciech Ejankowski
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Sexual Reproduction ◽  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Light Limitation ◽  
Permanent Plots ◽  
Peat Bogs ◽  
Betula Nana ◽  
Vaccinium Uliginosum ◽  
Ledum Palustre ◽  
Dwarf Birch

AbstractThe structure and demographic processes were compared in shrub communities to test the effects of vegetation succession on population growth, fecundity and abundance of the dwarf birch (Betula nana L.), which is a rare and endangered plant species in Poland and a glacial relict in Central Europe. The effects of Ledum palustre L. and Vaccinium uliginosum L. were studied in the Linje nature reserve in Chełmińskie Lake District (northern Poland), in three permanent plots on a peat bog. Vegetative growth and reproduction of B. nana were lower in plant communities dominated by L. palustre and V. uliginosum, than in a reference site. Fecundity was also lower, despite the fact that the percentage share of potentially fertile age groups was similar in all study sites. Mortality of ramets was independent of vegetation, both for juvenile and mature stages. The results confirm that B. nana is intolerant of shade, and it is more abundant in vegetation without competitors. Light limitation can lead to its decline, primarily by a decrease in vegetative growth. Sexual reproduction may be negatively affected by shade, but it plays only small role in population growth. Butterfly larvae can destroy inflorescences, and thus contribute to low effectiveness of sexual reproduction. Increasing density of shrubs and trees in peat bogs can reduce the abundance of dwarf birch, and can lead to the extinction of its local populations.

scholarly journals Lateglacial and Holocene floras and faunas from the Salpetermosen area, north-east Sjælland, Denmark

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. 231-244
Author(s):  
Ole Bennike ◽  
Pernille Pantmann ◽  
Esben Aarsleff
Keyword(s):  
Alnus Glutinosa ◽  
Betula Pubescens ◽  
Populus Tremula ◽  
Betula Nana ◽  
Najas Marina ◽  
North East ◽  
Glacier Ice ◽  
Dwarf Birch ◽  
Scheuchzeria Palustris ◽  
Oenanthe Aquatica

The Salpetermosen area in north-east Sjælland, Denmark, was deglaciated about 18 000 to 17 000 years ago. Melting of bodies of stagnant glacier ice led to the for-mation of kettle holes, which contain Lateglacial and Holocene sediments with remains of plants and animals that provide information on the past flora and fauna of the area. During the Allerød period, open forests with Betula pubescens (downy birch) characterised the area, the flora included light-demanding species such as Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (bearberry), Empetrum nigrum (crowberry) and rare Populus tremula (aspen), Betula nana (dwarf birch) and Rubus saxatilis (stone bramble), as well as the thermophilous swamp plant Oenanthe aquatica (fine-leaved water dropwort). During the Younger Dryas, the vegetation was characterised by dwarf-shrub heaths dominated by Betula nana, but including Dryas octopetala (mountain avens), Salix herbacea (least willow), Arctostaphylos alpina (alpine bearberry,) and rare Betula pube-scens, as well as the thermophilous plants Urtica dioeca (stinging nettle) and Lychnis flos-cuculi (ragged robin). The Early Holocene forests were dominated by Betula pubescens, Populus tremula and Pinus sylvestris (scots pine), but included rare Betula nana. Alnus glutinosa (alder) arrived at c. 10 000 cal. years BP. The calciphilous sedge Cladium mariscus (fen-sedge) and the macrolimnophyte Najas marina (spiny naiad) were common. The Late Holocene flora included the acidophilous plant Scheuchzeria palustris (rannoch-rush).

Genome sequence of dwarf birch (Betula nana) and cross-species RAD markers

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 3098-3111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nian Wang ◽  
Marian Thomson ◽  
William J. A. Bodles ◽  
Robert M. M. Crawford ◽  
Harriet V. Hunt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Sequence ◽  
Betula Nana ◽  
Dwarf Birch

Betula nana L., a note on its status in the United Kingdom

1984 ◽  
Vol 85 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 43-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Aston
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Current Distribution ◽  
Glacial Period ◽  
Betula Nana ◽  
The North ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Dwarf Birch ◽  
Present Understanding

SynopsisBetula nana L., the dwarf birch, is shrub-like in habit. Today it has a relict distribution in the north of Britain. In the Early Post Glacial period, it was widespread throughout Britain. This paper reviews the present understanding of the species in our flora and describes aspects of its morphology, palaeoecology, current distribution, habitat and hybridizaton with the arborescent birches.

scholarly journals Genetic diversity of Betula nana in Sweden and conservation implications for protection of relict Polish populations

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-231
Author(s):  
Grażyna B. Dąbrowska ◽  
Henryk P. Dąbrowski ◽  
Iwona Szyp-Borowska
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Differentiation ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Continuous Distribution ◽  
Relict Species ◽  
Environmental Pressures ◽  
Betula Nana ◽  
Conservation Implications ◽  
Dwarf Birch ◽  
Natural Range

Abstract The natural range of the dwarf birch (Betula nana L.) includes the boreal, subarctic and arctic regions of Europe, Asia and North America, where it is relatively common. In Poland, it is a relict species occurring in fragmented populations. Using the random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique, we investigated the genetic diversity of the four Swedish populations representing a part of the continuous range of dwarf birch. With the knowledge of the level of genetic diversity of a population from a continuous distribution, we can assess the genetic status of polish populations and answer the question if habitat fragmentation and a decrease in population size lead to a loss in genetic diversity. Knowledge of genetic diversity is important for species conservation, especially to predict their ability to respond to environmental pressures. We found that the populations Abisko, Malbo, Gällivare and Storlien, which are located at the edge of the natural range of B. nana and occupy different habitats, are genetically diverse to varying degrees. The northern populations from Abisko and Gällivare showed a lower level of genetic polymorphism than the population from Malbo, the southernmost site of dwarf birch in Sweden. The data presented indicate higher genetic diversity existed within populations, whereas genetic differentiation between populations was lower. The high level of genetic differentiation within B. nana populations that were analysed in the present study may be explained by a limited capacity for dispersal among populations via both pollen and seeds. We found that the level of genetic diversity in one of the Polish populations of B. nana is comparable to that in areas in Scandinavia where populations are large and continuous. Based on these studies, we conclude that the “Linje” population has sufficient genetic resources.

scholarly journals Genetic diversity of F1 and F2 interspecific hybrids between dwarf birch (Betula nana L.) and Himalayan birch (B. utilis var. jacquemontii (Spach) Winkl. 'Doorenbos') using RAPD-PCR markers and ploidy analysis.

2014 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Czernicka ◽  
Jarosław Pławiak ◽  
Piotr Muras
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Interspecific Hybrids ◽  
Similarity Index ◽  
Female Parent ◽  
Male Parent ◽  
Betula Nana ◽  
Ploidy Analysis ◽  
Hybrid Plants ◽  
Rapd Pcr ◽  
Dwarf Birch

Crosses between Betula nana and B. utilis 'Doorenbos' were undertaken in order to obtain interspecific hybrids which could be characterized by wide spreading stems, strong branching habit, decorative clear white bark and an interesting shape of purple leaves. The research purpose was to examine genetic diversity of the 16 F1 and F2 putative progenies by using the RAPD-PCR method and the ploidy analysis. A total of 242 RAPD markers were scored with 24 primers and 220 (90.9%) polymorphic bands were found. In the NJ dendrogram, cluster I consisted of the female parent--B. nana and 12 hybrids and cluster II grouped the male parent--B. utilis 'Doorenbos' with 4 hybrids (F2/2, F1/8, F1/7 and F2/1). The 2-D scaling by PCoA was in agreement with the similarity index, i.e. two hybrids (F1/8, F2/2) grouped with the male parent while others with female parent. Classification of the hybrid plants by chromosome counting demonstrated that 13 hybrids were confirmed with accurate chromosome counts as being diploid (2n=2x=28) and 3 plants (F1/7, F1/8, F2/2) as triploid with 42 chromosomes.

Effect of waterlogging on regeneration in the dwarf birch (Betula nana)

Biologia ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wojciech Ejankowski
Keyword(s):  
High Mortality ◽  
Reference Site ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Vegetative Reproduction ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Peat Bogs ◽  
Peat Bog ◽  
Betula Nana ◽  
Dwarf Birch

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the effect of waterlogging on annual regeneration in the dwarf birch (Betula nana L.), and to determine which demographic factors are responsible for the absence of B. nana in the waterlogged parts of a peat-bog. Growth parameters and demographic data were collected from 2001 to 2003 at four sites in the Linje peat bog in the Chełmno Lake District in northern Poland. Three of the sites represented waterlogged open bog communities. The fourth site served as the reference. The density of first-year ramets, annual shoot growth, and the proportion of flowering shoots was significantly lower at the waterlogged sites than at the reference site. No seedlings were found during the course of the study, even though flowering and fruit production took place at the reference site. The flowering shoots were mainly between nine and thirteen years old. Ramets in this age range were found only at the reference site due to high mortality in mature ramets at the waterlogged sites. Mean ramet height was significantly lower at the waterlogged sites than at the reference site, and was strongly correlated with mean ramet age. The distribution of B. nana in peat bogs is limited primarily by two demographic factors: the high mortality rate in older ramets, and the low rate of vegetative reproduction. Another contribution factor is that the proportion of older fertile ramets is low. The effects of fluctuations in the water table on distribution of B. nana are also discussed.

scholarly journals Icelandic Birch Polyploids—The Case of a Perfect Fit in Genome Size

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Anamthawat-Jónsson ◽  
Æ. Th. Thórsson ◽  
E. M. Temsch ◽  
J. Greilhuber
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Genome Size ◽  
Interspecific Hybrids ◽  
Introgressive Hybridization ◽  
Frequent Occurrence ◽  
Ploidy Levels ◽  
Betula Nana ◽  
Dwarf Birch ◽  
Spring Leaf

Two birch species coexist in Iceland, dwarf birch Betula nana and tree birch B. pubescens. Both species are variable morphologically, which has been shown to be due to introgressive hybridization via interspecific hybrids. The aim of this study was to examine if the introgression could be related to genome size. We characterized 42 plants from Bifröst woodland morphologically and cytogenetically. The population consisted of diploid B. nana (38%), tetraploid B. pubescens (55%), and triploid hybrids (7%). Genome size was measured from 12 plants, using Feulgen DNA image densitometry (FDM) on spring leaf buds and flow cytometry (FCM) with dormant winter twigs. The use of winter twigs for FCM is novel. The average 1C-values for diploid, triploid, and tetraploid plants were 448, 666, and 882 Mbp, respectively. Monoploid genome sizes were found to be statistically constant among ploidy levels. This stability is in contrast to the different taxonomic positions of the di- and tetraploids and also contrasts with the frequent occurrence of genome downsizing in polyploids.

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