Climate acts as selective force on the genetic and physiological growth response of
trees and thereby leads to an adaptation to local climate conditions. Our project aims
at understanding the diversity of drought responses amongst tree provenances from
environmentally different habitats. This will be achieved by linking phenotypic variation
(as expressed in e.g. gene expression, growth responses or isotopic composition)
with allelic variation in candidate genes using an association genetics approach. For
this purpose, intraspecific differences amongst various provenances of Douglas-fir will
be studied to assess the diversity of responses to drought. Through this approach we
will be able to understand adaptability, vulnerability or resistance of Douglas-fir
provenances to future climatic conditions. This projects will provide insights into
genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying the physiological and phenotypic levels
of the drought response of Douglas-fir. |
Zurück