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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, Giovanni; Welk, Erik; San-Miguel-Ayanz, Jesús (2017). Chorological maps and data for the main European woody species. figshare. Collection. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.2918528
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. 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Siberian larch shows high phenotypic variation and substantial genetic variation, most of which occurs within populations (~96–98%) and only a small (but statistically significant) amount between populations (Novikova et al., 2023a; Novikova et al., 2023b). Overall neutral genetic differentiation is low, typical for widespread conifers with extensive gene flow, but regional studies (e.g., Urals, Altai) identify populations that are more differentiated, sometimes reflecting fragmentation (Chertov et al., 2021; Novikova et al., 2023b).
Much of the observed genetic variation correlates with environmental gradients (notably altitude and climatic variables), suggesting local adaptation and an adaptive genetic component to abiotic stress (drought, cold). Siberian larch therefore retains high adaptive potential and phenotypic plasticity (Novikova et al., 2023a; Novikova et al., 2023b; Zhulanov et al., 2023). Marginal or fragmented populations can exhibit reduced diversity or bottlenecks and thus may be important for conservation (Chertov et al., 2021).
Siberian larch has geographically structured but moderately weak genetic differences shaped by population isolation, gene flow, and landscape fragmentation. Several studies identify distinct regional clusters, such as Urals populations grouping into three geographic clusters (South, Middle, North Urals) with high differentiation driven by area fragmentation (Chertov et al., 2021). Other analyses split populations into mountain versus lowland clusters, although within-group genetic differentiation remains low (Zhulanov et al., 2023).
There is a weak but statistically significant isolation by distance in some populations, suggesting that distance contributes to genetic differentiation, although other local studies find little or no correlation between geographic distance and genetic similarity (Novikova et al., 2023a). This is the result of intensive pollen/seed gene flow, which weakens fine-scale neutral structure between nearby stands, and historic fragmentation or marginal population history, which produces stronger differentiation at broader scales (Novikova et al., 2023b; Zhulanov et al., 2023).
Siberian larch is wind-pollinated and produces small, light, winged seeds that are also wind-dispersed, enabling long-distance gene flow via both pollen and seeds (Novikova et al., 2023a). This high dispersal capacity helps maintain strong within-population genetic diversity and weak local neutral structure, although regional fragmentation and barriers can still produce measurable genetic differentiation at broader scales (Novikova et al., 2023b; Chertov et al., 2021).
The bibliographic review was conducted by James Chaplin of the EUFORGEN Secretariat in August 2025.
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The bibliographic review was conducted by James Chaplin of the EUFORGEN Secretariat in August 2025.
Siberian larch faces growing genetic risks from forest fragmentation, intensive use, and climate change. Studies have revealed population fragmentation and many small, isolated habitats with distinct genetic pools; these erode connectivity and heighten extinction/bottleneck risk (Chertov et al., 2021; Zhulanov et al., 2023). Early negative growth trends in most studied populations suggest climate change is already impairing some stands despite the species’ drought tolerance (Novikova et al., 2023a). Further fragmentation and isolation would reduce adaptive potential by limiting gene flow and increasing the loss of rare alleles important for resilience (Chertov et al., 2021; Novikova et al., 2023a; Zhulanov et al., 2023).
Surveying and characterizing genetic diversity to identify high-value and environmentally distinct populations is a key step for in situ conservation (e.g., high-latitude or ecologically unusual sites) (Chertov et al., 2021). Using seed material from genetically close, diverse populations in restoration to preserve local adaptation, avoid outbreeding depression, and establishing plantations with genetic diversity matching natural stands are also key (Chertov et al., 2021; Zhulanov et al., 2023). Long-term monitoring, selection of genotypes with climatic-adaptation potential, and maintaining rare alleles in ex situ germplasm banks will support resilience under future climate scenarios (Chertov et al., 2021; Novikova et al., 2023a).
The bibliographic review was conducted by James Chaplin of the EUFORGEN Secretariat in August 2025.
Further reading
Novikova, S.V., Oreshkova, N.V., Sharov, V.V., Semerikov, V.L., and Krutovsky, K.V. 2023. Genetic structure and geographical differentiation of Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) populations based on genome genotyping by sequencing. Contemporary Problems of Ecology, 16(5): 631–644. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1995425523050086
References
Chertov, N., Vasilyeva, Y., Zhulanov, A., Nechaeva, Y., Boronnikova, S., and Kalendar, R. 2021. Genetic structure and geographical differentiation of Larix sibirica Ledeb. in the Urals. Forests, 12(10): 1401. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12101401
Novikova, S.V., Oreshkova, N.V., Sharov, V.V., Zhirnova, D.F., Belokopytova, L.V., Babushkina, E.A., and Krutovsky, K.V. 2023a. Study of the genetic adaptation mechanisms of Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) regarding climatic stresses based on dendrogenomic analysis. Forests, 14(12): 2358. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14122358
Novikova, S.V., Sharov, V.V., Oreshkova, N.V., Simonov, E.P., and Krutovsky, K.V. 2023b. Genetic adaptation of Siberian larch (Larix Sibirica Ledeb.) to high altitudes. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(5): 4530. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054530
Zhulanov, A., Chertov, N., Nechaeva, Y., Pechenkina, V., Zhulanova, L., Boronnikova, S., and Kalendar, R. 2023. Genetic uniqueness and genetic structure of populations of Picea obovata Ledeb. and Larix sibirica Ledeb. in the Northern and Middle Urals. Forests, 14(9): 1822. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14091822
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