Geographic patterns of genetic diversity in North American trees: a continent-wide analysis

In the Northern Hemisphere, many species have been reported to greater genetic diversity in southern populations than northern — ostensibly due migration northward following last glacial maximum. The generality of this pattern, while well-established for some taxa, remains unclear North American trees. To address issue, I collected published population genetics data 73 tree and tested whether was associated with latitude or longitude geographic trends were dispersal traits, range, study characteristics. found there no general patterns strength gradients not any western regions America tended more that declined latitude, but most had significant trend. This work shows trees complex individualistic may negate explanation by particular trait range characteristic.