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ARS Home » Plains Area » Sidney, Montana » Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory » Pest Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #333529
Title: Can local adaptation explain varying patterns of herbivory tolerance in a recently introduced woody plant in North America?

Author
item LONG, RANDALL - University Of California
item BUSH, SUSAN - University Of California
item GRADY, KEVIN - University Of Arizona
item SMITH, DAVE - University Of California
item POTTS, DAN - University Of California
item D’ANTONIO, CARLA - University Of California
item DUDLEY, TOM - University Of California
item FEHLBERG, SHANNON - Desert Botanical Garden
item Gaskin, John
item GLENN, ED - Desert Botanical Garden
item HULTINE, KEVIN - Desert Botanical Garden

Submitted to: Conservation Biology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/18/2017
Publication Date: 2/23/2017
Citation: Long, R., Bush, S.E., Grady, K.C., Smith, D., Potts, D.L., D’Antonio, C.M., Dudley, T.L., Fehlberg, S.D., Gaskin, J.F., Glenn, E.P., Hultine, K.R. 2017. Can local adaptation explain varying patterns of herbivory tolerance in a recently introduced woody plant in North America? Conservation Biology. 5(1):cox016.

Interpretive Summary: Tamarix spp. is a dominant,invasive tree in western North America that is experiencing large-scale mortality due to intense herbivory by the recently introduced northern Tamarix leaf beetle. We propose that relationships of tree genes and environment are responsible for current and future patterns of Tamarix mortality. We anticipate that 1) Tamarix in western North America is generally adapted to local environmental conditions across its current range, 2) local adaptation to specific climate, soil and resource availability conditions will yield predicable responses to attack by the beetle. Identifying patterns of local adaptation of traits related to resource allocation will improve forecasting of Tamarix mortality. In turn, these efforts will greatly assist restoration and conservation efforts of valued riparian ecosystems in arid regions.

Technical Abstract: Trends in tree mortality have been linked to global scale environmental changes, such as extreme drought and heat stress, more frequent and intense fires, and increased episodic outbreaks of insects and pathogens. Finer scale studies have also focused on survival and mortality in response to physiological stresses, but there is a lack of information on the role of genetic heritability – i.e. local adaptation - of traits that may influence patterns of woody plant mortality. Tamarix spp. is a dominant, non-native riparian tree in western North America that is experiencing large-scale mortality due to intense episodic herbivory by the recently introduced northern Tamarix leaf beetle (Diorhabda carinulata). We propose that relationships of gene-environment interactions largely underpin current and future patterns of Tamarix mortality. We anticipate that 1) despite its recent introduction, and the potential for significant gene flow, Tamarix in western North America is generally adapted to local environmental conditions across its current range, 2) local adaptation to specific climate, soil and resource availability conditions will yield predicable responses to episodic herbivory. Our review focuses on the potential heritability in plant carbon allocation strategies, paying special attention to the role of internal non-structural carbohydrate storage pools versus other sinks given its critical importance for surviving episodic disturbance. These storage pools, however, may be difficult for Tamarix to maintain above a minimum threshold where increased aridity and / or poor edaphic position leads to chronic stress and limits the supply of carbon via photosynthesis. Identifying patterns of local adaptation of traits related to resource allocation will improve forecasting of Tamarix susceptibility to episodic herbivory combined with other stressors. In turn, these efforts will greatly assist restoration and conservation efforts of valued riparian ecosystems in arid regions.