CALL FOR ABSTRACTS - GENETICS AND GNOMICS SESSION IUFRO 125 ANNIVERSARY CONGRESS, 19-22 September 2017 Deadline for Submissions: 30 November 2016. All submissions must be made online at the official congress website at http://iufro2017.com/call-for-abstracts<http://iufro2017.com/call-for-ab… Session 153: Genetics and Genomics for Conservation, Climate Adaptation and Sustainable Management of Forests Congress Theme 2: Forests and Climate Change Organizers Om P. Rajora, Coordinator IUFRO 2.04.01 – Population, ecological and conservation genetics Filippos A. Aravanopoulos, Deputy Coordinator IUFRO 2.04.01 – Population, ecological and conservation genetics Description of the Session and the IUFRO/Congress Themes Natural and anthropogenic disturbances, such as deforestation, fragmentation, insect and disease outbreaks and climate and environment change are major threats to the conservation and sustainability of forests and stability of forest ecosystems. Genetic diversity is the basis of all biodiversity because it provides the raw material for survival, adaptation and evolution of all organisms, especially under changed environment, climate and disease conditions. Therefore, conservation and management of genetic diversity in forest trees is critical for the stability and functioning of forest ecosystems because forest trees are normally the keystone species of many ecosystems, and many faunal and floral associations depend on their existence. Consequently, genetic diversity of forest trees provides the foundation for forest sustainability and ecosystem stability. Our understanding of the genetic diversity and population structure of forest tree species and genetic impacts of forest management practices and natural disturbances is rapidly progressing, but genetic resources of numerous ecosystems and species are endangered and may face extinction. Also, to advance measures to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change by developing and managing well-adapted, genetically diverse and healthy forest resources, it is critical to understand the genetic basis of local adaptation and that of responses and adaptation to climate change in forest trees. Emerging population, ecological and conservation genetics and genomics approaches enhance the opportunities to address these critical forest genetics research needs. The session will explore the progress and promises of forest genetics and genomics research for the conservation of forest genetic resources and understanding adaptation in forest trees with the objective to define priorities for future research in order to maximize its impact on genetic biodiversity conservation, adaptation and sustainable forest management, especially under the climate change conditions. IUFRO/Congress Themes Addressed: Forest Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services; Forests and Climate Change *********************************************** Om P. Rajora, Ph.D. Professor Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management University of New Brunswick PO Box 44000, 28 Dineen Drive Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada E-mail: Om.Rajora(a)unb.ca Telephone: (506) 458-7477 FAX: (506) 453-3538 ************************************************