A molecular identification protocol for roots of boreal forest tree species.
OBJECTIVE
Roots play a key role in many ecological processes, yet our ability to identify species from bulk root samples is limited. Molecular tools may be used to identify species from root samples, but they have not yet been developed for most systems. Here we present a PCR-based method previously used to identify roots of grassland species, modified for use in boreal forests. •


METHODS
We used repeatable interspecific size differences in fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphisms of three noncoding chloroplast DNA regions to identify seven woody species common to boreal forests in Alberta, Canada. •


RESULTS
Abies balsamea, Alnus crispa, Betula papyrifera, Pinus contorta, and Populus tremuloides were identifiable to species, while Picea glauca and Picea mariana were identifiable to genus. In mixtures of known composition of foliar DNA, species were identified with 98% accuracy using one region. Mixed root samples of unknown composition were identified with 100% accuracy; four species were identified using one region, while three species were identified using two regions. •


CONCLUSIONS
This methodology is accurate, efficient, and inexpensive, and thus a valuable approach for ecological studies of roots. Furthermore, this method has now been validated for both grassland and boreal forest systems, and thus may also have applications in any plant community.
Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada ; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada.
Morgan J
MJ
Randall
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada ; Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2H1, Canada.
Justine
J
Karst
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada.
Gregory J
GJ
Pec
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada.
Corey S
CS
Davis
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada.
Jocelyn C
JC
Hall
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada.
James F
JF
Cahill
FAFLP; boreal forest; molecular identification; roots; trnL intron; trnT-trnL intergenic spacer