just a quick message to inform you that the session below is accepted for IUFRO 2024.
As it is inherently interdisciplinary (it actually covers several Div2 Research Groups and Working parties within, but also other Divisions), I reckon it should be of interest to many of you.
The monitoring and conservation of Forest Genetic Resources (FGR) rests primarily on indicators describing the genetic diversity of forest stands.These indicators are essential as they summarise at least some aspects of adaptive potential, and because
populations with too low genetic diversity risk falling into an extinction spiral.
Notwithstanding the dearth of information that can be extracted from genetic data, this is likely to be insufficient to describe the short- and long-term capacity of forests to buffer the disturbances caused by drivers such as climate change and to persist
in the long term.
Interdisciplinary research involving tree physiology, population biology, ecosystem ecology, evolutionary biology, and genetics, and resting on methods such as remote sensing, machine learning, and modelling is necessary to correctly assess all components
of forest resilience. Ongoing research programs such as Horizon Europe-funded FORGENIUS and OptFORESTs aim at synthesising results from multiple research fields to identify which characteristics can drive forest resilience and vulnerability. In particular,
it is essential to look closely both at plastic, short term, responses and evolutionary, long term adaptive capacity.
In this session we will hear from research and management actions based on multidisciplinary approaches to assessing and preserving forest resilience, and discuss their respective benefits and drawbacks, their complementarities, as well as their respective
application ranges.