Epigenetic Studies of Black Spruce at Arctic Treeline

Overview

The Arctic treeline is the largest ecological transition zone that marks the the northernmost boundary where trees can exist. The boreal forest comes to an abrupt stop, and beyond the last spruce lie barrand fields of tundra. As Northern climate warms two to three times faster than the global average, scientist are looking to explore how the treeline will be impacted. As part of a NASA sponsored Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE), scientist want to observe and analyze how the boreal forest and tundra are changing physically and biologically. Scientists are using satellite observation in conjunction with finer ground studies to measure air and soil temperature, precipitation, wind speed, humidity, and the spruce trees’ botanical abilities. A major question at stake is if the increased nutrients in the soil from the thawed permafrost layer and increasingly moderate temperature will result in the advance of the treeline. To begin to tackle this question, one must understand what allows a tree to survive in this extreme environment. Our experiment, looks at individual spruce within three distinct age cohorts across three different longitudes. With samples from trees above, below, and within the treeline zone we seek to understand if there is an underlying molecular basis for adaptation. Epigenetics describes the mechanism by which chemical tags can alter gene expression. Global DNA methylation, is a quantification of the total methylcytosine found on a given specimen’s DNA. In plants, methylation levels fluctuate in direct response to environmental stress. Our data indicates that spruce living near treeline show differential levels of methylation. Moreover, epigenetic response may play a role in helping or limiting a spruce trees chance at survival.

Competition history

• AJAS 2018 Category not listed

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