Adaptation of Pinuscontorta populations to heterogeneous environments in northern Idaho

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Abstract
Genetic variation among 28 lodgepole pine (P. contorta Dougl.) populations from northern Idaho was studied in 3 contrasting environments. Populations were located within 55 km of the Priest River Experimental Forest where 4 yr old seedlings were compared in environments at 750, 1200 and 1500 m elevation. Statistical analyses of 6 variables (4 yr height, leaf length, freezing injury, multiple whorls, lammas growth and adjusted height) detected differentiation among populations. Multiple regression models related adaptive differentiation to geographic and ecologic characteristics of the seed source. Elevation of the seed source, represented in a quadratic model, accounted for as much as 86% of the variance among populations. Results were used to estimate the limits and consequences of elevational transfers of seed.