Forest Pathology

Vast forest areas filled with reddish-brown pines following Gremmeniella outbreaks, the dead, spindly skeletons of ash trees in parks after the advance of Hymenoscyphus, or decaying Heterobasidion-infected spruce logs piled beside clear-cuts – most people have seen some sign of the destruction that forest pathogenic fungi can cause.

Our research in forest pathology focuses on these and other tree diseases caused by fungi. We study the interaction between fungus, tree, and environment on all levels – from molecules to entire ecosystems. Our goal is to understand the biology, colonization, spread, and origins of the fungi in order to better predict their development and identify weaknesses we can exploit to control and minimize forest damage. To achieve this, we use cutting-edge molecular biology tools and advanced bioinformatics, as well as robust artificial infection systems in both field and greenhouse settings.

Invasive species

Forest pathogenic fungi can broadly be divided into native and invasive species. Native fungi have long existed in a region, while invasive species have more recently established themselves – usually originating from elsewhere. These introductions are almost always made possible by human activities, such as global trade or environmental impacts.

Interactions between trees and fungi

What often makes disease outbreaks caused by invasive fungi so explosive is that they have not co-evolved with the local host trees. As a result, the trees lack both effective defense mechanisms and even the ability to recognize the fungus as an invader.