o:3804 Spatial variation of morphological needle traits of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) populations in the Balkan peninsula in relation to climatic factors Prostorna varijabilnost morfoloških obilježja iglica populacija jele (Abies alba Mill.) na Balkanskom poluotoku u odnosu na klimatske čimbenike en Interpopulation and intrapopulation variability of three morphological needle traits (length, width and thickness) was investigated in 16 natural silver fir populations in the Balkan Peninsula. The populations represent refugial areas of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.). This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the influence of climatic factors (mean annual temperature, number of days with temperatures < 0, > 5, < 18, > 18oC, Hargreaves climatic moisture deficit and De Martonne aridity index, on the pattern of morphological needle traits within each population. Populations showed variation in the analyzed morphological needle traits, which could not be clearly defined by any of the analyzed climatic factors. The De Martonne aridity index and Hargreaves climatic moisture deficit had the greatest impact on the trait values, whereas the mean annual precipitation had the lowest. Evolutionary ecology research of the silver fir needle morphology is a valuable contribution to the comprehention of the present genetic variability as a prerequisite for adaptation to the rapid climate change and conservation of the species area in the Balkan Peninsula region. Needle morphology; Climatic factors; Silver fir; Balkan Peninsula 1552099 10.31298/SL.146.7-8.3 2024-01-18T09:25:32.411Z 44 yes 46 Владан Поповић 0000-0003-4326-3364 46 Дарка Шешлија-Јовановић 46 Александар Лучић 0000-0002-4473-1791 46 Љубинко Ракоњац 0000-0002-8736-6771 46 Сања Јовановић 0000-0001-9468-2628 46 Александар Васиљевић 46 Данијела Миљковић 0000-0003-1781-6658 application/pdf 984049 https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:3804 no yes 1 70 1552253 Šumarski list 309 318 "Znanstveno-stručno i staleško glasilo Hrvatskoga šumarskoga društva" 2022