Stress-tolerant trees for the future climate
Project overview
More related research
Short summary
How can forest trees become more resilient to both climate change and disease?
A warmer and drier climate is putting new pressure on forests, leading to more frequent diseases and pest outbreaks. This project studies how Scots pine’s ability to cope with environmental stress – such as drought, heat or shade – is connected to its resistance to fungal diseases.
The researchers focus on two important pathogens that threaten northern forests: Heterobasidion annosum (causing root rot) and Diplodia sapinea (causing Diplodia shoot disease). Using both field and greenhouse experiments, they analyse different pine varieties to understand which traits make trees more resilient.
The results will provide knowledge that helps forestry select and breed trees that can thrive under a changing climate while remaining healthy and productive.
Research team
PhD student: Noomi Lodenius
Main supervisor: Professor Malin Elfstrand, Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, SLU
Assistant supervisors:
Dr. Sonali Sachin Ranade, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, SLU
Associate Professor Åke Olson, Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, SLU
Dr. Maria Rosario García Gil, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, SLU
Collaborating partner: Södra
Project period: Feb 2025–Jan 2030
This project is part of WIFORCE – the Wallenberg Initiative in Forest Research, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.