Aspen Bibliography
Phenotypic Variation in Phytochemical Defense of Trembling Aspen in Western North America: Genetics, Development, and Geography
Document Type
Article
Author ORCID Identifier
Richard L. Lindroth https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4587-7255
Kennedy F. Rubert-Nason https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6611-9811
Clay J. Morrow https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3069-3296
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Journal of Chemical Ecology
Volume
49
Issue
5
Publisher
Springer New York LLC
First Page
235
Last Page
250
Publication Date
2-10-2023
Abstract
Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) is arguably the most important deciduous tree species in the Intermountain West of North America. There, as elsewhere in its range, aspen exhibits remarkable genetic variation in observable traits such as morphology and phenology. In contrast to Great Lakes populations, however, relatively little is known about phytochemical variation in western aspen. This survey of phytochemistry in western aspen was undertaken to assess how chemical expression varies among genotypes, cytotypes (diploid vs. triploid), and populations, and in response to development and mammalian browsing. We measured levels of foliar nitrogen, salicinoid phenolic glycosides (SPGs) and condensed tannins (CTs), as those constituents influence organismal interactions and ecosystem processes. Results revealed striking gentoypic variation and considerable population variation, but minimal cytotype variation, in phytochemistry of western aspen. Levels of SPGs and nitrogen declined, whereas levels of CTs increased, with tree age. Browsed ramets had much higher levels of SPGs, and lower levels of CTs, than unbrowsed ramets of the sam genotype. We then evaluated how composite chemical profiles of western aspen differ from those of Great Lakes aspen (assessed in earlier research). Interestingly, mautre western aspen trees maintain much higher levels of SPGs, and lower levels of CTs, than Great Lakes aspen. Phenotypic variation in chemical composition of aspen - a foundation species - in the Intermountain West likely has important consequences for organismal interactions and forest ecosystem dynamics. Moreover, those consequences likely play out over spatial and temporal scales somewhat differently than have been documented for Great Lakes aspen.
Recommended Citation
Lindroth, R. L., S. C. Wooley, J. R. Donaldson, K. F. Rubert-Nason, C. J. Morrow, and K. E. Mock. 2023. Phenotypic Variation in Phytochemical Defense of Trembling Aspen in Western North America: Genetics, Development, and Geography. Journal of Chemical Ecology 49:235-250.