sensFORoak: Klimasensitivität von Forstgenressourcen heimischer Eichen in Deutschland

Investigating the climate sensitivity of potential forest gene resources of native oaks

The project aims to assess the climate sensitivity of native oak species in Germany, particularly focusing on potential forest gene resources. With increasing drought damage in forestry, there is a growing demand for tree species and provenances that are better adapted to climate change. Oaks, known for their high drought tolerance, are gaining prominence, and the project will study populations to identify climate-adaptable seed stands.

The project involves a combination of ecological niche models (ENM), dendroecological resilience research, and ecological genetics to assess the impact of climate change on seed stands. The goal is to provide drought-resistant oak propagation material to ensure sustainable forest management in the future.

Sub-goals of the research project:

1. Identify climate-plastic oak seed stands in Bavaria using site data, niche models, and the seed harvest approval register.
2. Select and sample these stands from state, communal, and private forests along a defined site gradient.
3. Characterize the stands using modern dendroecological and genetic methods.

Methodology

Field data will be collected from approved seed stands, especially from dry marginal sites. The data collection will include:

• Genetic Analysis: Leaf samples from 48 trees per stand to assess neutral and adaptive markers.
• Growth Analysis: Tree ring sampling from dominant and competing trees for growth and resilience analysis.

Expected results

The project will generate insights into the climate adaptability of oak stands, contributing to the preservation of forest genetic resources. The findings will support the selection of resilient seed stands, essential for sustainable forest management under climate change.

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