Can Thinning Foster Forest Genetic Adaptation to Drought? A Demo‐Genetic Modelling Approach With Disturbance Regimes
ABSTRACT In managed populations—whether for production or conservation—management practices can interfere with natural eco‐evolutionary processes, providing opportunities to mitigate immediate impacts of disturbances or enhance selection on tolerance traits. Here, we used a modelling approach to exp...
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Wiley
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Evolutionary Applications |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.70051 |
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| author | Victor Fririon Hendrik Davi Sylvie Oddou‐Muratorio Gauthier Ligot François Lefèvre |
| author_facet | Victor Fririon Hendrik Davi Sylvie Oddou‐Muratorio Gauthier Ligot François Lefèvre |
| author_sort | Victor Fririon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT In managed populations—whether for production or conservation—management practices can interfere with natural eco‐evolutionary processes, providing opportunities to mitigate immediate impacts of disturbances or enhance selection on tolerance traits. Here, we used a modelling approach to explore the interplay and feedback loops among drought regimes, natural selection and tree thinning in naturally regenerated monospecific forests. We conducted a simulation experiment spanning three nonoverlapping generations with the individual‐based demo‐genetic model Luberon2. Luberon2 integrates forest dynamics processes driving survival and mating success, including tree growth, competition, drought impacts and regeneration, with genetic variation in quantitative traits related to these processes. We focused on two variable traits: individual vigour, determining diameter growth potential without stress as the deviation from average stand growth, and individual sensitivity to drought stress as the slope of the relationship between diameter growth and drought stress level. We simulated simplified thinning scenarios, tailored to even‐aged stands. Considering plausible genetic variation and contrasting drought regimes, the predicted evolutionary rates for both traits aligned with documented rates in wild plant and animal populations. Thinning considerably reduced natural selective pressures caused by competition and drought compared to unthinned stands. However, the conventional thinning practice of retaining the larger trees resulted in indirect anthropogenic selection that enhanced genetic gain in vigour and lowered sensitivity by up to 30%. More intensive thinning aimed at reducing drought stress by reducing stand density hampered the selection against sensitivity to drought, potentially hindering long‐term adaptation. Conversely, avoiding the early, nonselective thinning step—thereby promoting both natural and anthropogenic selection—ultimately resulted in better stand performance while maintaining long‐term evolvability. This study emphasises the potential of evolution‐oriented forestry strategies to combine drought stress mitigation with genetic adaptation. It provides general insights into how population management, disturbance regimes and eco‐evolutionary responses interfere, aiding sustainable decision‐making amid environmental uncertainties. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4f0fd3ca58b441668dbe764d0d59f0a5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1752-4571 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Evolutionary Applications |
| spelling | doaj-art-4f0fd3ca58b441668dbe764d0d59f0a52025-01-29T07:57:46ZengWileyEvolutionary Applications1752-45712024-12-011712n/an/a10.1111/eva.70051Can Thinning Foster Forest Genetic Adaptation to Drought? A Demo‐Genetic Modelling Approach With Disturbance RegimesVictor Fririon0Hendrik Davi1Sylvie Oddou‐Muratorio2Gauthier Ligot3François Lefèvre4INRAE, UR 629 Ecologie des Forêts Méditerranéennes (URFM), Domaine Saint Paul–Site Agroparc Avignon FranceINRAE, UR 629 Ecologie des Forêts Méditerranéennes (URFM), Domaine Saint Paul–Site Agroparc Avignon FranceINRAE, UR 629 Ecologie des Forêts Méditerranéennes (URFM), Domaine Saint Paul–Site Agroparc Avignon FranceUniversity of Liège, Gembloux Agro‐Bio Tech, TERRA, ForestIsLife Gembloux BelgiumINRAE, UR 629 Ecologie des Forêts Méditerranéennes (URFM), Domaine Saint Paul–Site Agroparc Avignon FranceABSTRACT In managed populations—whether for production or conservation—management practices can interfere with natural eco‐evolutionary processes, providing opportunities to mitigate immediate impacts of disturbances or enhance selection on tolerance traits. Here, we used a modelling approach to explore the interplay and feedback loops among drought regimes, natural selection and tree thinning in naturally regenerated monospecific forests. We conducted a simulation experiment spanning three nonoverlapping generations with the individual‐based demo‐genetic model Luberon2. Luberon2 integrates forest dynamics processes driving survival and mating success, including tree growth, competition, drought impacts and regeneration, with genetic variation in quantitative traits related to these processes. We focused on two variable traits: individual vigour, determining diameter growth potential without stress as the deviation from average stand growth, and individual sensitivity to drought stress as the slope of the relationship between diameter growth and drought stress level. We simulated simplified thinning scenarios, tailored to even‐aged stands. Considering plausible genetic variation and contrasting drought regimes, the predicted evolutionary rates for both traits aligned with documented rates in wild plant and animal populations. Thinning considerably reduced natural selective pressures caused by competition and drought compared to unthinned stands. However, the conventional thinning practice of retaining the larger trees resulted in indirect anthropogenic selection that enhanced genetic gain in vigour and lowered sensitivity by up to 30%. More intensive thinning aimed at reducing drought stress by reducing stand density hampered the selection against sensitivity to drought, potentially hindering long‐term adaptation. Conversely, avoiding the early, nonselective thinning step—thereby promoting both natural and anthropogenic selection—ultimately resulted in better stand performance while maintaining long‐term evolvability. This study emphasises the potential of evolution‐oriented forestry strategies to combine drought stress mitigation with genetic adaptation. It provides general insights into how population management, disturbance regimes and eco‐evolutionary responses interfere, aiding sustainable decision‐making amid environmental uncertainties.https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.70051demo‐genetic modellingdisturbance regimesdroughteco‐evolutionary dynamicsevolution‐oriented forestrygenetic adaptation |
| spellingShingle | Victor Fririon Hendrik Davi Sylvie Oddou‐Muratorio Gauthier Ligot François Lefèvre Can Thinning Foster Forest Genetic Adaptation to Drought? A Demo‐Genetic Modelling Approach With Disturbance Regimes Evolutionary Applications demo‐genetic modelling disturbance regimes drought eco‐evolutionary dynamics evolution‐oriented forestry genetic adaptation |
| title | Can Thinning Foster Forest Genetic Adaptation to Drought? A Demo‐Genetic Modelling Approach With Disturbance Regimes |
| title_full | Can Thinning Foster Forest Genetic Adaptation to Drought? A Demo‐Genetic Modelling Approach With Disturbance Regimes |
| title_fullStr | Can Thinning Foster Forest Genetic Adaptation to Drought? A Demo‐Genetic Modelling Approach With Disturbance Regimes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Can Thinning Foster Forest Genetic Adaptation to Drought? A Demo‐Genetic Modelling Approach With Disturbance Regimes |
| title_short | Can Thinning Foster Forest Genetic Adaptation to Drought? A Demo‐Genetic Modelling Approach With Disturbance Regimes |
| title_sort | can thinning foster forest genetic adaptation to drought a demo genetic modelling approach with disturbance regimes |
| topic | demo‐genetic modelling disturbance regimes drought eco‐evolutionary dynamics evolution‐oriented forestry genetic adaptation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.70051 |
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