Seminar: Breeding for Climate Adaptation in Norway Spruce

Climate change threatens the resilience and productivity of boreal forests, particularly Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). Over the last  80 years, Sweden has developed unique genomic resources to address these challenges, with large-scale field trials (over 1,000 combined for spruce and pine). To utilise these resources for research and breeding, we have recently developed high-quality genomic resources for these two conifer species, including chromosome-level assemblies, large-scale re-sequencing datasets, and high-density SNP arrays. These tools have enabled the initiation of genomic selection into ongoing breeding programs with the aim to accelerate breeding for growth, wood quality, and resistance to pests. We have also used these resources to compare patterns of genetic diversity in old-growth stands of Norway spruce with recently planted stands. Our results reveal strong local climate adaptation in natural forests but weaker adaptation and higher risks for maladaptation to future climate change in planted stands. Integrating genomic data with breeding and adaptive forestry practices is therefore essential to ensure sustainable productivity, maintaining genetic diversity, and securing the role of conifer forests in mitigating the impacts of a rapidly changing climate.

Our public seminars are hybrid, with the option to attend in-person or online.

Zoom webinar: link (ID: 650 3334 2319, Password: 348826)

The Biodiversity Seminar Series are organized by the WSL Biodiversity Center. Every two weeks, we aim to host a seminar speaker who presents research or outreach on topics relevant to the biodiversity community at WSL. The seminars are public and are usually broadcast online.

To find out more about the WSL Biodiversity Center and a complete list of events, please visit our website. 

Please send an email to events-biodiversity(at)wsl.ch if you would like to be updated on the activities of the WSL Biodiversity Center.