We investigated the genetic structure of three phenotypically distinct ecotypic groups of Norway spruce (Picea abies) belonging to three elevational classes; namely, low- (acuminata), medium- (europaea), and high-elevation (obovata) form, each represented by 150 trees. After rigorous filtering, we used 1916 Genotyping-by-Sequencing generated SNPs for analysis. Outputs from three multivariate analysis methods (Bayesian clustering algorithm implemented in STRUCTURE, Principal Component Analysis, and the Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components) indicated the presence of a distinct genetic cluster representing the high-elevation ecotypic group. Our findings bring a vital message to forestry practice affirming that artificial transfer of forest reproductive material, especially for stands under harsh climate conditions, should be considered with caution.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences Kamýcká 129 Suchdol 165 00 Praha Czech Republic

Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences Faculty of Forestry The University of British Columbia 2424 Main Mall Vancouver BC V6T 1Z4 Canada

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Making the Genotypic Variation Visible: Hyperspectral Phenotyping in Scots Pine Seedlings

Revealing the Complex Relationship Among Hyperspectral Reflectance, Photosynthetic Pigments, and Growth in Norway Spruce Ecotypes