Nordic Network for Polyploid Trees (POLYTREE)
Coordinator: Anders Ræbild, , Københavns Universitet (interview further down)
WORKSHOP June 13-15, 2022
This workshop brought together scientists from Nordic regions that have an interest in polyploid forest trees. The workshop aimed to summarize and evaluate potential roles for polyploidy in adapting forest trees to climate change and boost forest productivity.
In contrast to diploids, polyploids can have multiple copies of each chromosome. Polyploidy has frequently been involved in speciation processes, and changes in ploidy level by genome duplication may alter the ecological niche of species in comparison to the parental diploid species. Increased levels of ploidy increase sizes of cells and are believed to also change the physiology, and often polyploids have been shown to be more stress tolerant than their diploid ancestors due to increased genomic plasticity. A contentious matter is whether polyploids occur more frequently in boreal and sub-arctic regions compared to plants coming from lower latitudes due to improved fitness and stress physiology. In addition to this, the anatomical changes induced by polyploidy bear similarities to plants exposed to high CO2 levels, raising the question as to whether polyploids could represent an “evolutionary shortcut” for the adaptation of trees to high CO2 environments.
The long-term aim of the network
While polyploidy is frequently used in agricultural crop breeding, research in polyploid trees is scarce and often carried out by small groups as a side-business, where few cross-disciplinary links occur between researchers. The long-term objective of this initiative is to connect Nordic researchers working with polyploid trees. As several disciplines are present in the network, we will contribute to clarify the role of polyploidy in the adaptation to climate change, and ultimately we hope to contribute to more stable Nordic forests.
Aims for 2022
In 2022, we aim to summarize knowledge on polyploid trees in a joint review examining the potential of polyploid trees in relation to climate change. In addition, we will explore opportunities for joint projects through elaboration of proposals on polyploid trees with several partners.
Activities in 2022
- A series of online meetings
- A joint workshop / online workshop June 13-15 in Copenhagen
- Submission of proposals
- Writing of a joint review
Want to join?
Our network has participants from the five Nordic countries, and we are still open for new members. Please contact the coordinator if you are interested in joining the network!
Network coordinator Anders Raebild: