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Publications – Greg O'Neill

Last updated on December 1, 2023

Focusing on climate change adaptation, Greg identifies and develops opportunities is mitigate climate change impacts to forest plantations through silvicultural and genetic resource management strategies.

Position Title: Climate Change Adaptation Scientist

Contact: B.C. Government Directory

Current research projects

  • Climate Based Seed Transfer
  • Assisted Migration Adaptation Trial
  • Spruce genecology/climate change trial
  • Using multiple seeds to increase genetic diversity and mitigate impacts of extreme climate events

Publications

Listed in order of publication date:

2021 to present:

2022:

  • Benomar, L., Elferjani, R., Hamilton, J., O’Neill, G.A., Echchakoui, S. Bergeron, Y.,
  • Lamara, M. 2022. Bibliometric Analysis of the Structure and Evolution of Research on Assisted Migration. Current Forestry Reports. doi.org/10.1007/s40725-022-00165-y [Link]

2021:

  • Sáenz-Romero, C.; O’Neill, G.; Aitken, S.N.; Lindig-Cisneros, R. 2021. Assisted Migration Field Tests in Canada and Mexico: Lessons, Limitations, and Challenges. Forests 12, 9. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/f12010009 [Link]
  • Gomez-Pineda, E., A. Blanco-García, R. Lindig-Cisneros, G.A. O’Neill, L. Lopez-Toledo, C. Sáenz-Romero. 2021. Pinus pseudostrobus assisted migration trial with rain exclusion; maintaining Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve forest cover in a climate change environment. New Forests. doi.org/10.1007/s11056-021-09838-1. [Link]
  • ONeill, G.A., Gómez-Pineda, E. 2021. Local was best: sourcing tree seed for future climates. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 51(10): 1432-1439.  https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfr-2020-0408 [Link]
  • G. O’Neill. 2021. Better Forest Health Through Better Seed Transfer. In: Health of Young Stands: The challenge, the science, the future. Science to Policy Forum-Part 2. Ed. J.E. Brooks. Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. Victoria, BC. 

2016 to 2020:

2019:

  • Carbajal-Navarro, A.L., Navarro-Miranda, E., Blanco-García, A., Cruzado-Vargas, A.L., Gómez-Pineda, E., Zamora-Sánchez, C., Pineda-García, F., O’Neill, G.G., Gómez-Romero, M., Lindig-Cisneros, R., Johnsen, K.H., Lobit, P., Lopez-Toledo, L., Herrerías-Diego, Y., & Sáenz-Romero, C. (2019). Ecological Restoration of Abies religiosa Forests Using Nurse Plants and Assisted Migration in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. Front. Ecol. Evol. 7:421 https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2019.00421 [Link]

2017:

  • O'Neill, G., T. Wang, N. Ukrainetz, L. Charleson, L. McAuley, A. Yanchuk, and S. Zedel. 2017. A proposed climate-based seed transfer system for British Columbia. Prov. B.C., Victoria, B.C. Tech. Rep. 099. www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/Docs/Tr/Tr099.htm [Link]

2011 to 2015:

2015:

  • Pickles, B.J., Twieg, B.D., O'Neill, G.A., Mohn, W.W. and Simard, S.W. 2015. Local adaptation in migrated interior Douglas-fir seedlings is mediated by ectomycorrhizas and other soil factors. New Phytologist 207 (3), 858-871.  (doi: 10.1111/nph.13360)
  • Kranabetter, J.M., Stoehr, M., O'Neill, G.A., 2015. Ectomycorrhizal fungal maladaptation and growth reductions associated with assisted migration of Douglas-fir. New Phytologist 206: 1135–1144 doi: 10.1111/nph.13287

2014:

  • Ikeda, D.H., H.M. Bothwell, M.K. Lau, G.A. O’Neill, K.C. Grady, and T.G. Whitham. 2014. A genetics-based Universal Community Transfer Function for predicting the impacts of climate change on future communities. Functional Ecology 28: 65-74. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2435.12151/full
  • O’Neill, G.A., Stoehr, M., Jaquish, B., 2014. Quantifying safe seed transfer distance and impacts of tree breeding on adaptation. For. Ecol. Manage. 328, 122-130. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112714003454
  • Stoehr, M., Ott, P. and Woods, J. 2014. Inbreeding in mid-rotation coastal Douglas-fir: implications for breeding. Ann. For. Sci. DOI 10.1007/s13595-014-041-0

2013:

  • Oney, B., Reineking, B., O'Neill, G., and Kreyling, J. 2013. Intraspecific variation buffers projected climate change impacts on Pinus contorta. Ecology and Evolution 3: 437-449.  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.426/full
  • H. Pe21dlar, D.W. McKenney, I. Aubin, L.R. Iverson, R.S.Winder, C. Ste-Marie and G.A. O’Neill. Extreme Climate Variability Should Be Considered in Forestry Assisted Migration: A Reply. BioScience 63: 317-318. 

2012:

  • Wang, T., E.M. Campbell, G.A. O'Neill, and S.N. Aitken. 2012. Projecting future distributions of ecosystem climate niches: Uncertainties and management applications. For. Ecol. Manage. 279:128-140 [Link]
  • Kranabetter, J.M., M.U. Stoehr, and G.A. O'Neill. 2012. Divergence in ectomycorrhizal communities with foreign Douglas-fir populations and implications for assisted migration. Ecol. Applic. 22(2):550-560 [Link]
  • O'Neill, G. and G. Nigh. 2012. Provenance Trials Help Refine Forest Growth Models. TICtalk 11(1):6-7 [TICtalk 2012 2360KB]
  • Pedlar, J.H., D.W. McKenney, I. Aubin, T. Beardmore, J. Beaulieu, L. Iverson, G.A. O'Neill, R.S. Winder, and C. Ste-Marie. 2012. Placing Forestry in the Assisted Migration Debate. Bioscience 62(9):835-842 [Link]

2011:

  • Whitham, T., G. O'Neill, M.A. Fortuna, S. Shuster, A.M. Ellison, J. Penuelas, C. Gehring, R. Michalet, R. Hughes, B. Potts, G. Allan, M.L. Loustau, W.H. van der Putten, N. Lid Hjort, and M.K. Lau. 2011. The genetics of foundation species as drivers of biodiversity and ecosystem services under human-induced global changes. White paper report to the European Commission FoResTTraC. 41 pp. 
  • Ukrainetz, N.K., G.A. O'Neill, and B. Jaquish. 2011. Comparison of fixed and focal point seed transfer systems for reforestation and assisted migration: a case study for interior spruce in British Columbia. Can. J. For. Res. 41(7):1452-1464. [Link]
  • Pedlar, J., D. McKenney, J. Beaulieu, S. Colombo, J. McLachlan, and G. O'Neill. 2011. The implementation of assisted migration in Canadian forests. For. Chron. 87(6):766-777 [Link]
  • Griesbauer, H.P., D.S. Green, and G.A. O'Neill. 2011. Using a spatiotemporal climate model to assess population-level Douglas-fir growth sensitivity to climate change across large climatic gradients in British Columbia, Canada. For. Ecol. Manage. 261(3):589-600. [Link]
  • Leech, S.M., P.L. Almuedo, and G. O'Neill. 2011. Assisted Migration: Adapting forest management to a changing climate. BC Journal of Ecosystems and Management 12(3):18-34. 
  • O'Neill, G., V. Berger, M. Carlson, and N. Ukrainetz. 2011. Assisted Migration Adaptation Trial (AMAT). B.C. Min. For., Lands and Nat. Resourc. Ops., Tree Improve. Br., Assisted Migration Bulletin 01, Vernon, BC. 
  • O'Neill, G.A. and G. Nigh. 2011. Linking population genetics and tree height growth models to predict impacts of climate change on forest production. Global Change Biol. 17(10):3208-3217. [Link]

2006 to 2010:

2010:

  • Wang, T., O'Neill, G.A., and Aitken, S.A. 2010. Integrating environmental and genetic effects to predict responses of tree populations to climate. Ecological Applications 20: 153-163. http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/08-2257.1
  • Ukrainetz, N.K. and G.A. O'Neill. 2010. An analysis of sensitivities contributing measurement error to Resistograph values. Can. J. For. Res. 40(4):806-811. [Link]

2009:

  • Johnston, M., S. Webber, G.A. O'Neill, T. Williamson, and K. Hirsch. 2009. Climate change impacts and adaptation strategies for the forest sector in Canada. In: 2nd Climate Change Technology Conference, 12-15 May, 2009. Hamilton, ON. Engineering Institute of Canada. [PDF 373KB]
  • Campbell, E.M., S.C. Saunders, K.D. Coates, D.V. Meidinger, A. MacKinnon, G.A. O'Neill, D.J. MacKillop, S.C. DeLong, and D.G. Morgan. 2009. Ecological resilience and complexity: a theoretical framework for understanding and managing British Columbia’s forest ecosystems in a changing climate. B.C. Min. For. Range, For. Sci. Prog., Victoria, B.C. Tech. Rep. 055. www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/Docs/Tr/Tr055.htm
  • McKenney, D.W., J.H. Pedlar, and G.A. O'Neill. 2009. Climate change and forest seed zones: past trends, future prospects and challenges to ponder. For. Chron. 85(2):258-266. [Link]
  • Ukrainetz, N.K. and G.A. O'Neill. 2009. Adapting to adaptation: assisted migration addresses climate change. B.C. Forest Professional 16:16-17. [PDF 336KB]
  • O'Neill, G.A. 2009. Meet the AMAT. B.C. Forest Service News 6(2):8. 

2008:

  • O'Neill, G.A., A. Hamann, and T. Wang. 2008. Accounting for population variation improves estimates of the impact of climate change on species' growth and distribution. J. Appl. Ecol. 45(4):1040-1049. [Link]
  • O'Neill, G.A. and N.K. Ukrainetz. 2008. Climate-based seed transfer. tree seed bulletin 47. Fredericton, NB. Canadian Tree Improvement Association, Tree Seed Working Group. pp. 8-11. 
  • O'Neill, G., M. Carlson, V. Berger, and N. Ukrainetz. 2008. Assisted Migration Adaptation Trial. TICtalk 9(1):3-4. 
  • O'Neill, G.A., N.K. Ukrainetz, M.R. Carlson, C.V. Cartwright, B.C. Jaquish, J.N. King, J. Krakowski, J.H. Russell, M.U. Stoehr, C-Y. Xie, and A.D. Yanchuk. 2008. Assisted migration to address climate change in British Columbia: recommendations for interim seed transfer standards. B.C. Min. For. Range, Res. Br., Victoria, B.C. Tech. Rep. 048. http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/Docs/Tr/Tr048.htm [Link]

2007:

  • O'Neill, G., G. Nigh, T. Wang, and P.K. Ott. 2007. Growth response functions improved by accounting for nonclimatic site effects. Can. J. For. Res. 37(12):2724-2730. [Link]
  • O'Neill, G., M. Carlson, V. Berger, and A. Yanchuk. 2007. Responding to Climate Change: Assisting seedlot migration to maximize adaptation of future forest plantations. TICtalk 8(1):9-12. [TICtalk 2007 1712KB]
  • O'Neill, G.A. 2007. Seed Transfer 101. Canadian tree improvement association: tree seed working group: news bulletin 46: 4-8. 
  • O'Neill, G.A., M.R. Carlson, V.G. Berger, and A.D. Yanchuk. 2007. Responding to climate change: assisting seedlot migration to maximize adaptation of future forest plantations. TICtalk 8:9-12. 

2006:

  • Woods, A.J. and G.A. O'Neill. 2006. What effects will a changing climate have on lodgepole pine in British Columbia?. In: Proceedings of the 54th annual western international forest disease work conference, Smithers, BC, Canada. Edited by M.B. Jackson. Missoula, MT: US Dept of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Health Protection. Pp. 67-76. 
  • Wang, T., A. Hamann, A.D. Yanchuk, G.A. O'Neill, and S.N. Aitken. 2006. Use of response functions in selecting lodgepole pine populations for future climates. Global Change Biol. 12:2404-2416. [PDF 839KB]

2000 to 2005:

2005:

  • O'Neill, G.A. and A.D. Yanchuk. 2005. Climate change and forest genetics: a summary of the 29th biennial meeting of the Canadian Tree Improvement Association and the Western Forest Genetics Association [abstract]. For. Chron. 81(1):18-19. [Link]
  • O'Neill, G.A., J.H. Russell, B.D. Hooge, P.K. Ott, and C.D.B. Hawkins. 2005. Estimating gains from genetic tests of somatic emblings of interior spruce. For. Gen. 12(1):57-66.
  • Spittlehouse, D.L. 2005. Climate Change: Impacts and Adaptation in Forestry. In: G.A. O’Neill and J.D. Simpson (eds). Climate Change and Forest Genetics, Proc.29th Meeting, Canadian Tree Improvement Assoc., part 2, Symposium, July 26-29, 2004, Kelowna, BC. pp. 43-48. [PDF 64KB]
  • Stoehr, M.U., G.A. O'Neill, C.A. Hollefreund, and A.D. Yanchuk. 2005. Within and among family variation of orchard and wild-stand progeny of interior spruce in British Columbia. Tree Genetics Genomes 1(2):64-68. [Link]
  • Yanchuk, A.D. and G.A. O'Neill. 2005. Seed source selection and deployment to address adaptation to future climates for interior spruce in western Canada. Project A644. Final report to the climate change impacts and adaptation directorate. B.C. Min. For. Range., Res. Br., Victoria, B.C. pp. 1-14. [PDF 228KB]

2004:

  • Russell, J. 2004. Breeding western redcedar for herbivore resistance.(PDF, 8.4MB) In: O'Neill, G.A. and J.D. Simpson (Editors). 2004. Proceedings of the twenty-ninth meeting of the Canadian Tree Improvement Association - part 2: climate change and forest genetics. Can. Tree Improve. Assoc., July 26-29, Kelowna, B.C. pp. 94.
  • Russell, J. and C. Ferguson. 2004. Techniques and preliminary results from four generations of selfing western redcedar.(PDF, 8.4MB) In: O'Neill, G.A. and J.D. Simpson (Editors). 2004. Proceedings of the twenty-ninth meeting of the Canadian Tree Improvement Association - part 2: climate change and forest genetics. Can. Tree Improve. Assoc., July 26-29, Kelowna, B.C. pp. 66. 
  • Carlson, M., C. Cartwright, B. Jaquish, J. King, S. L'Hirondelle, G. O'Neill, J. Russell, M. Stoehr, C-Y. Xie, and A. Yanchuk. 2004. British Columbia Ministry of Forests Forest Genetics Research and Tree Breeding Program.(PDF, 8.4MB) In: Simpson, J.D. (editor). Proceedings of the 29th Meeting of the Canadian Tree Improvement Association. July 26-29, 2004, Kelowna, BC. pp.91-100. 
  • King, J.N. and P. Ott. 2004. Major and 'R' gene resistance - possibilities and parallels between pathogens and insects. (PDF, 8.4MB) In: O'Neill, G.A. and J.D. Simpson (Editors). 2004. Proceedings of the twenty-ninth meeting of the Canadian Tree Improvement Association - part 2: climate change and forest genetics. Can. Tree Improve. Assoc., July 26-29, Kelowna, B.C. pp. 87.
  • O'Neill, G.A. and J.D. Simpson (Editors). 2004. Proceedings of the twenty-ninth meeting of the Canadian Tree Improvement Association - part 2: climate change and forest genetics. Can. Tree Improve. Assoc., July 26-29, Kelowna, B.C. 157p. 
  • O'Neill, G.A. and S.N. Aitken. 2004. Area-based breeding zones to minimize maladaption. Can. J. For. Res. 34(3):695-704. [Link]
  • O'Neill, G.A., A. Hamann, T. Wang, and S.N. Aitken. 2004. Brave new breeding zones.(PDF, 8.4MB) In: O'Neill, G.A. and J.D. Simpson (Editors). 2004. Proceedings of the twenty-ninth meeting of the Canadian Tree Improvement Association - part 2: climate change and forest genetics. Can. Tree Improve. Assoc., July 26-29, Kelowna, B.C. 157p.(PDF, 8.4MB)
  • O'Neill, G.A., I. Dawson, C. Sotelo-Montes, L. Guarino, and J.C. Weber. 2004. Genetic conservation of tropical trees. In: Elevitch, C.R. (Editor) The overstory book: cultivating connections with trees. Permanent Agriculture Resources, Holualoa, USA pp. 391-395.
  • Wang, T., A. Hamann, S.N. Aitken, A.D. Yanchuk, and G.A. O'Neill. 2004. Climate models and genetic applications for lodgepole pine in British Columbia. (PDF, 8.4MB) In: O'Neill, G.A. and J.D. Simpson (Editors). 2004. Proceedings of the twenty-ninth meeting of the Canadian Tree Improvement Association - part 2: climate change and forest genetics. Can. Tree Improve. Assoc., July 26-29, Kelowna, B.C. 157p.

2002: 

2001:

  • 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(1-3):305-318. 
  • O'Neill, G.A., I. Dawson, C. Sotelo-Montes, L. Guarino, M. Guariguata, D. Current, and J.C. Weber. 2001. Strategies for genetic conservation of trees in the Peruvian Amazon. (PDF, 102KB) Biodiversity and Conservation 10(6):837-850.

2000:

  • 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(11):1799-1807

1999 and earlier:

1992:

  • O'Neill, G.A., C.P. Chanway, P.E. Axelrood, R.A. Radley, and F.B. Holl. 1992. An assessment of spruce growth response specificity after inoculation with coexistent rhizosphere bacteria. Can. J. Bot. 70(12):2347-2353.