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Description
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The current climate crisis is a well-documented planetary process and we are already experiencing its effects in terms of warming and altered occurrence of extreme events. All these changes could have deep impacts on forest functioning, thus impairing the benefits and services that forest ecosystems provide to human society. Indeed, trees are long-lived and sessile organisms whose migration potential and long-term genetic adaptation are likely too slow to keep pace with current climate change. The Mediterranean region has been identified as a climate change hotspot. This could increase forest vulnerability leading to broad decline or dieback phenomena as it is more and more globally observed. Yet, we still have limited ability to predict climate-related tree decline and mortality mostly because early-warning signals are often subtle and species-specific. To better predict the fate of a tree species, besides an in-depth understanding on how climate variables affect its growth, we need to know the key genetic and physiological mechanisms involved in its adaptive responses. This calls for a thorough evaluation of the link among genotypes, phenotypes, physiological traits and climatic drivers constraining tree growth across time and environments. By contrasting an unprecedented amount of phenotypic and genomic information on one of the most emblematic and sensitive species across Italy, Abies alba, REACT aims at revealing the phenotypic and genomic signature of tree adaptation and resistance against climate-related stressful conditions. REACT will focus on a thorough sampling of 60 silver fir natural populations, both large and relic, across the Italian peninsula. Here, wéll apply an individual targeted genotyping and in-depth dendrophenotyping by the analysis of wood anatomical traits and non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) content. We will end up with a subset of focal populations characterized by unparalleled phenotypic and genotypic information merged at the individual tree level for populations facing a wide range of climatic stressors. A battery of statistical approaches will finally reveal the genomic signature underlying both complex phenotypic traits with adaptive value and responses to single events that can permit trees to withstand climatic constraints. REACT will answer key scientific questions about the retrospective and future interactions between the genotype and climate. REACT results will also promote the conservation of forest stands and genetic resources providing useful information on populations and genotypes adapted/resilient to climatic stressors. Such knowledge will produce indicators that will stem in recommendations and guidelines for stakeholders, policy makers, and managers, as well as help selecting the best management options to cope with future climate challenges. |
