COMMUNI-TREE: Tree community genetics - Understanding diversity of associated mycorrhiza and
insects

Start date: 2007

Activity: JERA 3

Responsible partners: P1, P2, P5, P6, P8, P11, P12, P13, P15, P18, P20, P22, P23

Contact persons:

Documents:  Project Description

Objectives:

Interactions between species can be very complex. Trees, as keystone species of ecosystems, can support large numbers of organisms, and some traits of trees were shown to have major influence on insect communities (Whitham et al. 2006). Studying the genetic diversity of tree populations and effects of specific tree traits (genes) on associated communities is therefore an approach to understand ecosystem community diversity. This knowledge may significantly influence our insight in optimal designs for reforestation and nature restoration.

We propose to systematically make an inventory of the effects of poplar and oak trees on associated organisms (insects and mycorrhiza communities).

In oak we will use seedling populations of known offspring with varying genetic diversity. This will enable us to determine for the process of tree establishment to what extent the intraspecific diversity of such keystone species affects communities, and what are the causal relationships between genetic diversity of foundation species and community diversity of associated organisms.

For poplar we will use well-characterised and clonally replicated poplar genotypes to compare the effect of certain genotypes. Using the available segregating populations, we will be able to map them in poplar. With the genome sequence of poplar completed (Tuskan et al. 2006), the map locations are the basis for the identification of candidate genes for the traits that influence this interaction among species.