Jack pine of all trades: deciphering intraspecific variability of a key adaptive trait at the rear edge of a widespread fire-embracer North American conifer.

At the rear edge, we inferred the mechanisms of a bet-hedging strategy ensuring steady recruitment during fire-free intervals and successful postfire regeneration. This capacity to cope with infrequent and unpredictable fire regime should increase the resilience of jack pine populations as global changes alter fire dynamics of the boreal forest. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.