To learn more about the map elements, please download the "Pan-European strategy for genetic conservation of forest trees"
This distribution map has been developed by the European Commission Joint Research Centre (partly based on the EUFORGEN map) and released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC-BY 4.0)
Caudullo, G., Welk, E., San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., 2017. Chorological maps for the main European woody species. Data in Brief 12, 662-666. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2017.05.007
The following experts have contributed to the development of the EUFORGEN distribution maps:
Fazia Krouchi (Algeria), Hasmik Ghalachyan (Armenia), Thomas Geburek (Austria), Berthold Heinze (Austria), Rudi Litschauer (Austria), Rudolf Litschauer (Austria), Michael Mengl (Austria), Ferdinand Müller (Austria), Franz Starlinger (Austria), Valida Ali-zade (Azerbaijan), Vahid Djalal Hajiyev (Azerbaijan), Karen Cox (Belgium), Bart De Cuyper (Belgium), Olivier Desteucq (Belgium), Patrick Mertens (Belgium), Jos Van Slycken (Belgium), An Vanden Broeck (Belgium), Kristine Vander Mijnsbrugge (Belgium), Dalibor Ballian (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Alexander H. Alexandrov (Bulgaria), Alexander Delkov (Bulgaria), Ivanova Denitsa Pandeva (Bulgaria), Peter Zhelev Stoyanov (Bulgaria), Joso Gracan (Croatia), Marilena Idzojtic (Croatia), Mladen Ivankovic (Croatia), Željka Ivanović (Croatia), Davorin Kajba (Croatia), Hrvoje Marjanovic (Croatia), Sanja Peric (Croatia), Andreas Christou (Cyprus), Xenophon Hadjikyriacou (Cyprus), Václav Buriánek (Czech Republic), Jan Chládek (Czech Republic), Josef Frýdl (Czech Republic), Petr Novotný (Czech Republic), Martin Slovacek (Czech Republic), Zdenek Špišek (Czech Republic), Karel Vancura (Czech Republic), Ulrik Bräuner (Denmark), Bjerne Ditlevsen (Denmark), Jon Kehlet Hansen (Denmark), Jan Svejgaard Jensen (Denmark), Kalev Jðgiste (Estonia), Tiit Maaten (Estonia), Raul Pihu (Estonia), Ülo Tamm (Estonia), Arvo Tullus (Estonia), Aivo Vares (Estonia), Teijo Nikkanen (Finland), Sanna Paanukoski (Finland), Mari Rusanen (Finland), Pekka Vakkari (Finland), Leena Yrjänä (Finland), Daniel Cambon (France), Eric Collin (France), Alexis Ducousso (France), Bruno Fady (France), François Lefèvre (France), Brigitte Musch (France), Sylvie Oddou-Muratorio (France), Luc E. Pâques (France), Julien Saudubray (France), Marc Villar (France), Vlatko Andonovski (FYR Macedonia), Dragi Pop-Stojanov (FYR Macedonia), Merab Machavariani (Georgia), Irina Tvauri (Georgia), Alexander Urushadze (Georgia), Bernd Degen (Germany), Jochen Kleinschmit (Germany), Armin König (Germany), Armin König (Germany), Volker Schneck (Germany), Richard Stephan (Germany), H. H. Kausch-Blecken Von Schmeling (Germany), Georg von Wühlisch (Germany), Iris Wagner (Germany), Heino Wolf (Germany), Paraskevi Alizoti (Greece), Filippos Aravanopoulos (Greece), Andreas Drouzas (Greece), Despina Paitaridou (Greece), Aristotelis C. Papageorgiou (Greece), Kostas Thanos (Greece), Sándor Bordács (Hungary), Csaba Mátyás (Hungary), László Nagy (Hungary), Thröstur Eysteinsson (Iceland), Adalsteinn Sigurgeirsson (Iceland), Halldór Sverrisson (Iceland), John Fennessy (Ireland), Ellen O'Connor (Ireland), Fulvio Ducci (Italy), Silvia Fineschi (Italy), Bartolomeo Schirone (Italy), Marco Cosimo Simeone (Italy), Giovanni Giuseppe Vendramin (Italy), Lorenzo Vietto (Italy), Janis Birgelis (Latvia), Virgilijus Baliuckas (Lithuania), Kestutis Cesnavicius (Lithuania), Darius Danusevicius (Lithuania), Valmantas Kundrotas (Lithuania), Alfas Pliûra (Lithuania), Darius Raudonius (Lithuania), Robert du Fays (Luxembourg), Myriam Heuertz (Luxembourg), Claude Parini (Luxembourg), Fred Trossen (Luxembourg), Frank Wolter (Luxembourg), Joseph Buhagiar (Malta), Eman Calleja (Malta), Ion Palancean (Moldova), Dragos Postolache (Moldova), Gheorghe Postolache (Moldova), Hassan Sbay (Morocco), Tor Myking (Norway), Tore Skrøppa (Norway), Anna Gugala (Poland), Jan Kowalczyk (Poland), Czeslaw Koziol (Poland), Jan Matras (Poland), Zbigniew Sobierajski (Poland), Maria Helena Almeida (Portugal), Filipe Costa e Silva (Portugal), Luís Reis (Portugal), Maria Carolina Varela (Portugal), Ioan Blada (Romania), Alexandru-Lucian Curtu (Romania), Lucian Dinca (Romania), Georgeta Mihai (Romania), Mihai Olaru (Romania), Gheorghe Parnuta (Romania), Natalia Demidova (Russian Federation), Mikhail V. Pridnya (Russian Federation), Andrey Prokazin (Russian Federation), Srdjan Bojovic (Serbia) , Vasilije Isajev (Serbia), Saša Orlovic (Serbia), Rudolf Bruchánik (Slovakia), Roman Longauer (Slovakia), Ladislav Paule (Slovakia), Gregor Bozič (Slovenia), Robert Brus (Slovenia), Katarina Celič (Slovenia), Hojka Kraigher (Slovenia), Andrej Verlič (Slovenia), Marjana Westergren (Slovenia), Ricardo Alía (Spain), Josefa Fernández-López (Spain), Luis Gil Sanchez (Spain), Pablo Gonzalez Goicoechea (Spain), Santiago C. González-Martínez (Spain), Sonia Martin Albertos (Spain), Eduardo Notivol Paino (Spain), María Arantxa Prada (Spain), Alvaro Soto de Viana (Spain), Lennart Ackzell (Sweden), Jonas Bergquist (Sweden), Sanna Black-Samuelsson (Sweden), Jonas Cedergren (Sweden), Gösta Eriksson (Sweden), Markus Bolliger (Switzerland), Felix Gugerli (Switzerland), Rolf Holderegger (Switzerland), Peter Rotach (Switzerland), Marcus Ulber (Switzerland), Sven M.G. de Vries (The Netherlands), Khouja Mohamed Larbi (Tunisia), Murat Alan (Turkey), Gaye Kandemir (Turkey), Gursel Karagöz (Turkey), Zeki Kaya (Turkey), Hasan Özer (Turkey), Hacer Semerci (Turkey), Ferit Toplu (Turkey), Mykola M. Vedmid (Ukraine), Roman T. Volosyanchuk (Ukraine), Stuart A'Hara (United Kingdom), Joan Cottrell (United Kingdom), Colin Edwards (United Kingdom), Michael Frankis (United Kingdom), Jason Hubert (United Kingdom), Karen Russell (United Kingdom), C.J.A. Samuel (United Kingdom).
Status of Larix decidua conservation in Europe
European larch has high genetic diversity between and within populations with a large diversity in silvicultural traits (Matras and Pâques, 2008). Up to 91% of observed genetic diversity in European larch is within populations (Mihai and Teodosui, 2009). European larch has higher genetic diversity than other larch (Larix) species, with a genetic diversity pattern like other conifers (Pluess, 2011). Lack of genetic bottlenecks in European larch through its history in Europe may be because the species was able to survive even during glacial periods and did not experience reduced genetic diversity at its expanding frontier (Pluess, 2011).
Pollen of European larch travels relatively short distances of up to 300 m, potentially limiting gene flow (Dostálek et al., 2018). However, extensive genetic flow still exists within European larch despite fragmentation of populations. This constant mixing of genes between populations means the tree can maintain high genetic diversity even at its expanding edge (Dostálek et al., 2018).
European larch shows low to moderate differentiation across Europe, and a significant correlation between geographic and genetic distance (Dostálek et al., 2018). Geographic variability is clinal, making it difficult to identify specific groups (Dostálek et al., 2018). Some research has shown that genetic clusters are related to their altitudinal range and not proximity to each other (Gramazio et al., 2018). However, populations in the Alps, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia show low differentiation from each other (Gramazio et al., 2018). Romanian populations show high levels of genetic variability and clustering at the local level, but no correlation between genetic and geographic distance (Gramazio et al., 2018). This could be the result of breeding and hybridization for cultivation (Mihai and Teodosui, 2009).
The bibliographic review was conducted by James Chaplin of the EUFORGEN Secretariat in August 2024.
Diversity of silvicultural traits in the species are well known because European larch has been widely researched due to its economic importance. Many populations with desirable qualities such as fast growth or resistance to canker have been identified. Many countries have established breeding programmes to develop improved materials for establishing cultivated commercial stands. For example, trees with favourable characteristics are widely used in Poland (Matras and Pâques, 2008; Gramazio et al., 2018). This also means European larch populations have expanded beyond their natural range; for example, Austrian varieties have been used in Romania (Mihai and Teodosui, 2009). European larch populations in Romania are a valuable genetic resource for commercial use as they have valuable traits in growth and stem qualities from established breeding programmes (Mihai and Teodosui, 2009). Commercial interest in the species also means hybridization with other larch species, such as Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi), and gene selection have taken place (Matras and Pâques, 2008; Mihai and Teodosui, 2009).
The bibliographic review was conducted by James Chaplin of the EUFORGEN Secretariat in August 2024.
The distribution of European larch is fragmented. Human actions aimed at stabilizing environments, such as reducing the frequency of avalanches or fire and allowing shade tolerant species to establish themselves, are reducing the native range of European larch as a pioneer species that benefits from disturbances to reduce competition (Matras and Pâques, 2008). Climate change threatens European larch by forcing migration to higher altitudes. However, it also means the tree is colonizing new areas where glacier retreat and warmer temperatures allow the tree line to move up to higher elevations (Gramazio et al., 2018).
European larch is also under threat from hybridization with “alien” germplasm. Many natural populations have crossed with introduced material due to the species being widely cultivated over a long period (Matras and Pâques, 2008). European larch has few genetic barriers to crossbreeding with related species such as Japanese larch, and its introduction to Europe in the twentieth century led to crossing of the two species (Matras and Pâques, 2008).
Crossing between other larch species or foreign European larch populations and native populations should be minimized (Matras and Pâques, 2008). Japanese larch should be kept away from European larch genetic conservation units because of how easily it can crossbreed with European larch. In situ conservation should be favoured in mountain regions where European larch is the main species, while ex situ conservation should be favoured where the species is more isolated, but populations selected should be free from genetic “pollution” (Matras and Pâques, 2008).
Natural regeneration should be encouraged to conserve genetic diversity. This can be done at higher altitudes by controlling grazing, soil scraping, and planting, while at lower altitudes protection against game animals and reducing competition will increase natural regeneration (Matras and Pâques, 2008).
The bibliographic review was conducted by James Chaplin of the EUFORGEN Secretariat in August 2024.
Genetic Characterisation of Larix decidua and its GCUs
Availability of FRM
FOREMATIS
Larix decidua - Technical guidelines for genetic conservation and use for European larch
Publication Year: 2008The lack of natural regeneration can be favoured at high elevation (e.g. over 1500 m in the Alps), with protection against farm animals, soil scraping and complementary plantation; at lower elevation the competition with shade-tolerant tree species should be controlled by thinning to favour larch growth, flowering, fructification and establishment of seedlings. Protection against game animals is often necessary.
At all elevations, crossing with other European larch populations and species should be avoided by prohibiting their introduction in close contact with native populations. Several national seed transfer regulations have defined provenance regions where only local populations of European larch are recommended for establishment but elsewhere there are no rules preventing the use of alien material except in natural parks or reserves.
European larch requires special management if it is to survive and flourish, especially in mixed forests. For example cutting, in which trees from the upper storey are left as shelter precludes natural regeneration of larch. Thus, the drawing up of general rules of silviculture (felling systems, silvicultural measures, etc.) is necessary to ensure the establishment of progenies from the natural populations of larch and maintenance of larch stands. Assistance to natural regeneration can be provided through weed control, opening of stand canopy, complementary planting and other management efforts.
Japanese and hybrid larches should not be grown near European larch forests that are considered as gene conservation units.
In situ conservation of genetic resources of European larch should be limited to mountain regions and areas where larch is the main forest species.
Ex situ conservation can be carried out through establishment of artificial gene conservation units. These might include plantations as part of breeding programmes, such as clonal archives, clone banks, seed orchards and field trials as well as specifically designed conservation plots. Populations selected for ex situ conservation should be free from genetic ‘pollution’ with other populations of European larch or with other larch taxa.
Larch seed can be stored for at least 30 years in genebanks. Pollen can also be stored ex situ. Cryopreservation of somatic embryogenic lines is another possibility for conservation of larch genetic resources conservation since most technical problems have been solved recently.
Contacts of experts
NA
Further reading
Jansen, S. and Geburek, T. 2016. Historic translocations of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) genetic resources across Europe – A review from the seventeenth until the mid-twentieth century. Forest Ecology and Management, 379: 114–123.
References
Dostálek, J., Frantík, T., Pospíšková, M., and Křížová, M., 2018. Population genetic structure and delineation of conservation units in European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) across its native range. Flora, 246: 26–32.
Gramazio, P., Plesa, I.M., Truta, A.M., Sestras, A.F., Vilanova, S., Plazas, M., Vicente, O., Boscaiu, M., Prohens, J., and Sestras, R.E. 2018. Highly informative SSR genotyping reveals large genetic diversity and limited differentiation in European larch (Larix decidua) populations from Romania. Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 42(3): 165–175.
Matras, J. and Pâques, L. 2008. EUFORGEN Technical Guidelines for genetic conservation and use for European larch (Larix decidua). Rome, Bioversity International. 6 pages.
Mihai, G. and Teodosiu, M. 2009. Genetic diversity and breeding of larch (Larix decidua Mill.) in Romania. Annals of Forest Research, 52: 97–108.
Pluess, A.R. 2011. Pursuing glacier retreat: genetic structure of a rapidly expanding Larix decidua population. Molecular Ecology, 20(3): 473–485.
See details
Designed by Newtvision
