Betula ermanii range-wide provenance trial: Survival, height, diameter, and productivity data

<p>Understanding the response of <em>Betula ermanii</em> populations to climate change is crucial for conservation efforts. Range-wide provenance trials provide valuable insights into local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity, aiding in the maintenance of productivity in boreal and alpine forest ecosystems. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of climate change on survival and productivity of <em>B. ermanii</em>, and to formulate conservation strategies for future climates. Using survival and growth data from provenance trials, models were developed and applied to projected climate scenarios obtained from WorldClim. Results indicated that populations at the southern edge and thermal limit experienced more pronounced declines in survival and productivity compared to others. Particularly, the southern-edge population struggled to survive <em>in situ</em> under severe climate warming, while the high-altitude edge population faced challenges in surviving <em>ex situ</em>. These findings emphasize the necessity of integrating both <em>in situ</em> and <em>ex situ</em> conservation measures tailored to source populations and the severity of climate change. Range-wide provenance trial data provide valuable insights into how climatic responses affect populations, guiding conservation efforts for <em>Betula ermanii</em> in the face of changing environmental conditions.</p>