Aim:

Communicating the complexity of forest resilience

A lone tree with blue sky behind

Project Description

Diversity is vital to forest resilience in a changing environment, but decision‑making about harnessing diversity is complex. Tree of Knowledge (ToK) synthesised the findings of three projects: DiversiTree, newLEAF and MEMBRA.

We investigated synergies and trade-offs between different dimensions of diversity: species diversity, genetic diversity and epigenetic effects (gene expression changes in response to environmental stresses).

We developed resources including a research note, infographics, webinars and an animated film to make these concepts accessible to practitioners, policymakers and the public and highlight where these diversity dimensions interact.

What we discovered...

  • The interactions between species diversity, genetic diversity, and epigenetic effects are complex and may affect resilience in both the short and long term.
  • Species and genetic diversity can help to reduce the impacts of pests and pathogens.
  • Interactions between genetic diversity and epigenetic effects may delay or accelerate adaptation of populations to changing environments.
  • The importance of epigenetics may vary with species but could be used to increase resilience.
  • For a finite area and number of trees, increasing species diversity necessarily reduces the population size of each individual species, limiting its genetic diversity and potentially reducing its adaptive potential.
  • Stimulating epigenetic effects such as through priming seedlings may allow rapid individual adaptation to future threats but may delay genetic adaptation of a population in the longer term.

Project Lead(s)

Dr Ruth Mitchell, The James Hutton Institute

Project Website

https://www.hutton.ac.uk/project/tree-of-knowledge