Cone Production of Stone Pines in the South of Western Siberia: Results of 30 Years of Monitoring

The structure of the reproductive function in four species and many geographic ecotypes of stone pines is studied on natural and experimental (clone archive and test progenies) objects. In Siberian stone pine in the south of the forest zone in Western Siberia, the dynamics of cone production is determined by weather conditions in the year of pollination. Seed productivity is declining due to late spring frosts and higher temperatures in September. Over the past 30 years, the directional change of these factors has determined a significant decline in cone production. The productivity and stability of the species and geographic ecotypes of stone pines is determined by the correspondence of their need for warmth to the climate of the test site. Under the conditions of climate change, the local ecotype in terms of growth and cone production is often inferior to more thermophilic species and ecotypes.

Automated summary

This study examined the reproductive function structure of four species and various geographic ecotypes of stone pines. It was found that cone production dynamics in Siberian stone pines are affected by weather conditions during pollination. Late spring frosts and high temperatures in September lead to a decline in seed productivity. Over the past 30 years, there has been a significant decline in cone production due to directional changes in these factors. The study also revealed that the productivity and stability of stone pines depend on the correspondence between their need for warmth and the climate of the test site. Local ecotypes often perform worse in terms of growth and cone production compared to more thermophilic species and ecotypes in the face of climate change.