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Sally N Aitken

Department of Forest Sciences
Research Interests:
Current Research:
  • Adapting gene resource management to climate change - NSERC Strategic and BIOCAP Canada Foundation

    • Current grad students Graduate students

    Sierra Curtis-McLane, Supervisor - Chair - Academic and Research , Ph.D. started Thursday, September 01, 2005
    Amanda De la Torre, Supervisor - Chair - Academic and Research , Ph.D. started Saturday, September 01, 2007
    Jill Hamilton, Supervisor - Chair - Academic and Research , Ph.D. started Tuesday, January 01, 2008
    Jason Holliday, Supervisor - Chair - Academic and Research , Ph.D. started Wednesday, September 01, 2004
    Colin Huebert, Supervisor - Chair - Academic and Research , M.Sc. started Sunday, January 01, 2006
    Nina Lobo, Supervisor - Chair - Academic and Research , M.Sc. started Thursday, January 01, 2009

    Awards:

    Canadian Forestry Scientific Achievement Award 2009, Canadian Institute of Forestry

    Courses Taught:

    FRST 200 - Forest Biology I

    Links:

    Centre for Forest Conservation Genetics www.genetics.forestry.ubc.ca/cfgc


    Additional Info:
    Current publications

    Wang, T., G.A. O'Neill and S.N. Aitken (2009) Integrating environmental and genetic effects to predict responses of tree populations to climate Ecological Applications.
    Bower, A.D., D. Kolotelo and S.N. Aitken (2009) Effects of geographic origin, length of storage, and stratification duration on germination of whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis Englem.) seeds Can. J. For. Res. Submitted Mar. 2009.
    Chourmouzis C, A Hamann, AD Yanchuk, P. Smets and SN Aitken. (2009) Forest Tree Genetic Conservation Status Report 1: In Situ Conservation Status of All Indigenous B.C. Species. Technical Report 053. 71 p., BC Ministry of Forests
    Krakowski J, C Chourmouzis, AD Yanchuk, D Kolotelo, A Hamann, and SN Aitken (2009) Forest Tree Genetic Conservation Status Report 2: Genetic Conservation Status of Operational Tree Species Technical Report. In press., BC Ministry of Forests and Range
    Holliday, J.A., K. Ritland and S.N. Aitken. (2009) Evidence for positive and diversifying selection among 174 cold hardiness-related candidate genes in Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) Genetics. Under revision for resubmission.
    Holliday J.A., Ralph S., White R., Bohlmann J. and Aitken, S.N. (2008) Global monitoring of gene expression during autumn cold acclimation among rangewide populations of Sitka spruce [Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.] New Phytologist 178: 103-122.
    Bower, A.D. and S.N. Aitken. (2008) Genetic Diversity and Geographic Differentiation in Quantitative Traits, and Seed Transfer Guidelines for Pinus albicaulis (Pinaceae). American Journal of Botany 95: 66-76.
    Ukrainetz, N. K., Kang, K.-Y., Aitken, S.N., Stoehr, M., Mansfield, S.D. (2008) Heritability, phenotypic and genetic correlations of coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) wood quality traits. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 38:1536-1546.
    Aitken, S.N., S. Yeaman, J.A. Holliday, T. Wang and S. Curtis-McLane. (2008) Adaptation, migration or extirpation: Climate change outcomes for tree populations. Evolutionary Applications 1: 95-111.
    Bower, A.D. and S.N. Aitken. (2007) Mating System and Inbreeding Depression in Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis Engelm.). Tree Genetics and Genomes. 3: 379-388.
    Mimura, M. and S.N. Aitken (2007) Increased selfing and decreased effective pollen donor number in peripheral relative to central populations in Picea sitchensis (Pinaceae). American Journal of Botany 94: 991-998.
    Gapare, W.J., A.D. Yanchuk and S.N. Aitken (2007) Optimal sampling strategies for capture of genetic diversity differ between core and peripheral populations of Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. Conservation Genetics. DOI 10.1007/s10592-007-9353-8.
    Mimura, M. and S.N. Aitken (2007) Adaptive gradients and isolation by distance with postglacial migration in Picea sitchensis. Heredity 99: 224-232.
    Wang, T., A. Hamann, D. Spittlehouse and S.N. Aitken. (2006) Development of scale-free climate data for western Canada for use in resource management International Journal of Climatology 26: 383-397.
    Chuine, I., G.E. Rehfeldt and S.N. Aitken (2006) Height growth determinants in pines: a case study of Pinus contorta and Pinus monticola Can. J. For. Res. 36: 1059-1066.
    Bower, A.D. and S.N. Aitken. (2006) Genetics of cold hardiness in whitebark pine Can. J. For. Res. 36: 1842-1850.
    Wang, T., A. Hamann, A. Yanchuk, G.A. O’Neill and S.N. Aitken (2006) Use of response functions in estimating current and future forest productivity of lodgepole pine Global Change Biology 12: 1-13.
    Wheeler, N.C., K.D. Jermstad, K.V. Krutovskii, S.N. Aitken, G.T. Howe, J. Krakowski and D.B. Neale. (2005) Mapping of quantitative trait loci controlling adaptive traits in coastal Douglas-fir. IV. Cold hardiness QTL verification and candidate gene mapping. Molecular Breeding 15: 145-156.
    Gapare, W.J., S.N. Aitken and C. Ritland (2005) Genetic diversity of core and peripheral Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr) populations: implications for conservation of widespread species. Biological Conservation 123: 113-123.
    Gapare, W.J. and S.N. Aitken (2005) Strong spatial genetic structure in peripheral but not core populations of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) Molecular Ecology 14: 2659-2667.
    El-Kassaby Y.A., K. Ritland, C.E. Ritland, S.N. Aitken, J. Bohlmann, and J. Krakowski. (2005) Forest genetics. -In: Forestry handbook (S.B. Watts and L. Tolland, eds.), 5th ed. Faculty of Forestry, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC. 474-486pp.
    Hamann, A., P. Smets, A.D. Yanchuk and S.N. Aitken (2005) An ecogeographic framework for in situ conservation of forest trees in British Columbia. Can. J. For. Res. 35: 2553-2561.
    Aitken, S.N. (2004) Genecology and adaptation of forest trees. Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences Article 86, pp. 197-2004., Elsevier
    Wang, T., S.N. Aitken, J.H. Woods, K. Polsson and S. Magnussen (2004) Effects of inbreeding on coastal Douglas-fir growth and yield in operational plantations: A model-based approach Theoretical and Applied Genetics 108(6): 1162-1171.
    Hamann, A., S. N. Aitken, A. D. Yanchuk (2004) Cataloguing in situ protection of genetic resources for major commercial forest trees in British Columbia Forest Ecology and Management 197: 295-305.
    Bennuah, S.Y., T. Wang and S.N. Aitken (2004) Genetic analysis of the Picea sitchensis x glauca introgression zone in British Columbia Forest Ecology and Management 197: 65-77.
    O’Neill, G.A. and S.N. Aitken (2004) Area-based breeding zones to minimize maladaptation Can. J. For. Res. 34: 695-704
    Howe, G.T., S.N. Aitken, D.B. Neale, K.D. Jermstad, N.C. Wheeler and T.H.H. Chen (2003) From genotype to phenotype: Unraveling the complexities of cold adaptation in forest trees Can. J. Bot. 81: 1247-1266.
    Wang, T.L., S.N. Aitken and K.L. Kavanagh. (2003) Selection for improved growth and wood quality in lodgepole pine: effects on phenology, hydraulic architecture and growth of seedlings. Trees Structure and Function 17:269-277.
    Woods, J., Wang, T. and Aitken, S.N. (2002) Effects of inbreeding on coastal Douglas-fir: nursery performance. Silvae Genetica 51(4): 163-170.
    Anekonda, T.S., C. Lomax, W.T. Adams, K. L. Kavanagh and S.N. Aitken. (2002) Genetic variation in drought hardiness of coastal Douglas-fir seedlings from British Columbia. Can. J. For. Res. 32: 1701-1716.
    O'Neill, G.A., S.N. Aitken, J.N. King and R. Alfaro. (2002) Geographic variation in resin canal defenses in seedlings from the Sitka x white spruce introgression zone. Can. J. For. Res. 32: 390-400.
    Adams, W.T., S.N. Aitken, D.G. Joyce, G.T. Howe and J. Vargas-Hernandez. (2001) Evaluating efficacy of early testing for stem growth in coastal Douglas-fir. Silvae Genetica 50(3-4): 167-175.
    Hannerz, M., S.N. Aitken, T. Ericsson and C. C. Ying. (2001) Variation in strobili production within and among provenances of lodgepole pine. Forest Genetics 8(4):325-331.
    Wang, T. and S.N. Aitken. (2001) Selection for improved growth and wood quality in lodgepole pine: effects on xylem anatomy of tree stems. Can. J. For. Res. 31: 2049-2057.
    Chuine, I., S.N. Aitken and C. Ying. (2001) Temperature-dependent growth in provenances of Pinus contorta. Can. J. For. Res. 31(8):1444-1455.
    Jermstad, K.D., D.L. Bassoni, N.C. Wheeler, T.S. Anekonda, S.N. Aitken, W.T. Adams and D.B. Neale. (2001) Mapping of quantitative trait loci controlling adaptive traits in Douglas-fir. II. Spring and fall cold hardiness. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 102:1142-1151.
    O'Neill, G.A., W.T. Adams and S.N. Aitken. (2001) Quantitative Genetics of Spring and Fall Cold Hardiness in Seedlings from Two Oregon Populations of Coastal Douglas-fir. For. Ecol. Manage. 149:305-318.
    Adams, W.T., S.N. Aitken, D.G. Joyce, G.T. Howe and J. Vargas-Hernandez (2001) Evaluating efficacy of early testing for stem growth in coastal Douglas-fir Silvae Genetica 50(3-4): 167-175.
    Aitken, S.N. and M. Hannerz (2001) Genecology and gene resource management strategies for conifer cold hardiness Chapter 2 in “Conifer Cold Hardiness”, F. Bigras and S. Columbo, Eds., Kluwer Academic Press, NY.
    Anekonda, T.S., Adams, W.T., and Aitken, S.N. (2000) Cold hardiness testing for Douglas-fir tree improvement programs: Guidelines for a simple, robust, and inexpensive screening method West. J. Appl. For. 15(3):129—136.
    Anekonda, T.S., W.T. Adams, S.N. Aitken, D.B. Neale, K. D. Jermstad, N.C. Wheeler et al. (2000) Genetics of cold hardiness in a cloned full-sib family of coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) Can. J. For. Res. 30(5): 837-840
    Bennuah, S.Y. and S.N. Aitken (2000) Admixture estimation for introgression between Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) and white spruce (Picea glauca) in northwestern British Columbia. In: "Hybrid breeding and genetics of forest trees" Proceedings of QFRI/CRC-SPF Symposium 9-14 April 2000, Noosa, Queensland, Australia. Dungley, H.S., Dieters, M.J. and Nikles, D.G. (eds.). Pp 147-152., Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane, Australia.
    Anekonda, T.S., W.T. Adams and S.N. Aitken. (2000) Cold hardiness testing for Douglas-fir tree improvement programs: Guidelines for a simple, robust, and inexpensive screening method. West. J. Appl. For. 15(3):129-136.
    O’Neill, G.A., S.N. Aitken and W.T. Adams. (2000) Genetic selection for cold hardiness in coastal Douglas-fir seedlings and saplings. Can. J. For. Res. 30:1799-1807.
    Wang, T.L., S.N. Aitken, P. Rozenberg, and F. Millier. (2000) Selection for improved growth and wood density in lodgepole pine: Effects on radial patterns of wood formation. Wood & Fiber Sci. 32(4):391-403.
    Aitken, S.N. (1999) Conserving adaptive variation in forest ecosystems. J. Sust. For.8(7/8):1-10.
    Balduman, L.M., S.N. Aitken, M. Harmon, and W.T. Adams. (1999) Genetic variation in cold hardiness of Douglas-fir in relation to parent-tree environment. Can. J. For. Res. 29(1):62-72.
    Hannerz, M., S.N. Aitken, J.N. King, and S. Budge. (1999) Effects of genetic selection for growth on frost hardiness in western hemlock. Can. J. For. Res. 29(4):509-516.
    Kavanagh, K.L., B.J. Yoder, S.N. Aitken, B.L. Gartner, and S.A. Knowe. (1999) Vulnerability to xylem cavitation in Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii and var. glauca. Tree Physiology 19(1):31-38.
    Namkoong, G., M.P. Koshy and S. Aitken. (1999) Selection. Pp 101-110 in Andrew Young, Tim Boyle and D. H. Boshier (eds.), Forest Conservation Genetics: Principles and Practice., CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne, Australia.
    Wang, T., S.N. Aitken, P. Rozenberg, and M.R. Carlson (1999) Selection for height growth and pilodyn pin penetration in lodgepole pine: effects on growth traits, wood properties, and their relationships. Can. J. For. Res. 29(4):434-445.
    Anekonda, T.S., W.T. Adams and S.N. Aitken. (1998) Influence of second flushing on genetic assessment of cold hardiness in coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Mirb.) Franco). -For. Ecol. Manage. 111:119-126
    Aitken, S.N. and W.T. Adams. (1997) Spring cold hardiness is under strong genetic control in Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii. Can J. For. Res. 27(11):1773-1780.
    Schermann, N., W.T. Adams, S.N. Aitken, and J.C. Bastien. (1997) Genetic parameters of stem form traits in a 9-year-old coastal Douglas-fir progeny test in Washington. Silvae Genetica 46(2-3):166-170.
    Aitken, S.N. and W.T. Adams. (1996) Genetics of fall cold hardiness in coastal Douglas-fir in Oregon. Can. J. For. Res.26:1828-1837.
    Aitken, S.N., W.T. Adams, N. Schermann, and L.H. Fuchigami. (1996) Family variation for fall cold hardiness in two Washington populations of coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Mirb.) Franco). -For. Ecol. Manage. 80:187-195.
    O'Neill, G.A., W.T. Adams and S.N. Aitken. (1996) Susceptibility to autumn frost can be predicted by the timing of bud-set in Douglas-fir seedlings but not in saplings. pp. 208-209 in Proc. Tree Improvement for Sustainable Tropical Forestry. QFRI-IUFRO Conf., Caloundra, Australia.
    Aitken, S.N., K.L. Kavanagh and B.J. Yoder. (1995) Genetic variation in seedling water-use efficiency as estimated by carbon isotope ratios and its relationship to sapling growth in Douglas-fir Forest Genetics 2(4): 199-206
    Aitken, S. N. and W. T. Adams (1995) Impacts of genetic selection for height growth on annual developmental cycle traits in coastal Douglas-fir AD-1 In ‘Evolution of breeding strategies for conifers from the Pacific Northwest. Proc., IUFRO Conference, 31 July - 4 Aug. Limoges, France.
    Aitken, S.N. and W.J. Libby (1994) Evolution of the pygmy-forest edaphic subspecies of Pinus contorta across an ecological staircase Evolution 48(4): 1009-1019.

    Unit associations Unit Associations 

  • Biodiversity Research Centre   
    		•
  • Centre for Applied Conservation Research CACR
    		•
  • Centre for Forest Conservation Genetics   
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  • Genetic Data Center GDC
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    Professional Affilliations Professional Affiliations 

  • Canadian Tree Improvement Association CTIA 
    		•
  • Society for the Study of Evolution Evolution 
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  • Western Forest Genetics Association WFGA 
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    Click for a large print-resolution photo of Sally N Aitken
    Sally N Aitken

    Forest Genetics;

    B.Sc. (1984) Brit. Col., M.Sc. (1986), Ph.D. (1989) Berkeley

    Contact Info:
     Department of Forest Sciences Faculty of Forestry The University of British Columbia 3rd Floor, Forest Sciences Centre #3041 - 2424 Main Mall Vancouver, British Columbia Canada V6T 1Z4
    Phone: 604-822-6020
    Fax: 604-822-9102
    Email: