EVOLTREE (6. PR)

Project description

EVOLTREE is a network of excellence (NoE) funded under the Sixth Framework Programme for European Research & Technological Development of European Union, Priority 6.3 Global Change and Ecosystems.

Project goals

EVOLTREE will implement genomic and molecular approaches to understand, monitor and predict genetic diversity, ecosystems structures, dynamics and processes in terrestrial ecosystems. The EVOLTREE Network of Excellence will first study the genetic diversity of trees, as dominant species and drivers of terrestrial biodiversity, and then expand its scope to diversity issues at the community level, by considering selected associated organisms of trees – insects and mycorrhizal fungi – and their interactions with trees. EVOLTREE will therefore contribute to the emergence of ‘ecosystem genomics’, a new discipline that relates the functioning and diversity of genes to their role in the adaptation of species and biotic interactions.

The EVOLTREE NoE will group together 25 European partner institutions, between universities and research centres, which represent a critical mass of leading actors in the field. Synergy will be achieved through the specialisation of the research groups, thus facilitating the implementation of large-scale genomic projects that require costly equipment, and by integrating different groups into multidisciplinary research teams. To this end and in view of continuing EVOLTREE’s activity after the duration of the project, five major objectives related to research integration, have been identified and will be addressed over the next four years:

• reduce the fragmentation of European research on ecosystem genomics;
• restructure European research in the field of ecosystem genomics;
• spread a high level of excellence in terrestrial biodiversity;
• improve mobility and training for researchers;
• implement a strong management structure.

Characteristics of the project

EVOLTREE will associate four major disciplines – genomics, genetics, ecology and evolution – for understanding, monitoring and predicting genetic diversity, ecosystems structures, dynamics and processes.

This strategy will be applied to three major interacting elements of terrestrial ecosystems: trees, phytophagous insects and mycorrhizal fungi. The functional role of trees as drivers of biodiversity will be deciphered by investigating their adaptive diversity, their structuring role on diversity of associated species and their own evolutionary rate in response to biotic and abiotic environmental changes.

The network will capitalise on the substantial expertise in the four major disciplines and the availability of genomic resources accumulated during previous collaborative projects. It will integrate interdisciplinary research to dissect the structure, expression and polymorphism of genes of ecological significance, and contribute to the emergence of a new research area “ecosystem genomics”. The genomic activities will be conducted within a ‘Laboratory without walls’ where high throughput techniques will be integrated and then applied to a wide range of tree and associated species, starting with model species.

EVOLTREE will install and enhance the necessary experimental infrastructures, information systems and bioinformatics resources for common use by the partners. Large data sets will be compiled and made accessible by developing data mining procedures for the analysis of geographic and temporal distribution of genetic diversity. EVOLTREE will spread its knowledge and expertise for the purpose of education, biodiversity monitoring, and conservation. The network will develop training capacities and facilitate mobility opportunities throughout Europe. A dynamic communication strategy will disseminate its results to the scientific community, end users and public. EVOLTREE is a consortium consisting of 25 partners from 15 different countries, which has adopted a strong management policy to organise its internal functioning and ensure the durability of the network.

Scope of IBL participation

Forest Research Institute will participate in following tasks:

IA2.2 Gene Bank

IA2.3 Intensive study sites (ISS)

• development of the GIS database based on traceability procedures;
• installation of permanent and precise geographic references on-site for long-term monitoring of the ISS;
• inclusion of pre-existing information of interest into the database;
• inclusion of data provided by the partners in due format into the database, with respect to datasharing procedures;
• make all the information easily available to the Network through the internet, in a user-friendly way, with respect to data-sharing procedures;
• provide datasets in due format to any Network partner upon request (e.g. for synthetic analysis), with respect to data-sharing procedures (coordination with IA1.4 is needed to ensure format compatibility with modelling platforms);
• produce specific editions upon request of activity leaders, in particular for training or dissemination activity, with respect to data-sharing procedures EVOLTREE;
• organise training on the database system upon request of activity leaders;
• inform the Network on major events occurring in the ISS (e.g. changes in ownership or protection status, etc.);
• introduce the Network partners acting within the ISS to the land managers.

JERA1.1 Identification of genes of ecological significance

JERA 3.3 Case studies in terrestrial ecosystems

SEA2.2 Dissemination to stakeholders

SEA2.3 Public awareness

Project contractors

Department of Genetics and Forest Tree Physiology
3 Braci Leśnej Street, Sękocin Stary,
05-090 Raszyn, Poland
tel. + 48 22 7150 470, fax. + 48 22 7150 313

dr inż. Jan Kowalczyk, Eng
dr inż. Kazimierz Zajączkowski, Eng
dr Justyna Nowakowska
dr Małgorzata Sułkowska
mgr inż. Jan Matras, Eng
dr Iwona Szyp-Borowska

Partners

* K – koordynator, P – partner, ST – strona trzecia