Entering and establishment of invasive forest pathogens into the forest ecosystems of northern Europe in conditions of changing climate and search control against it
Description: Facilitated by climate change and global trade of plants, the introduction of alien diseases poses a serious threat to forests in northern Europe. The addressing of the underlying consequences requires understanding of the biogeography and genetics of alien pathogens, their impact to host microbiome and vice versa, and identification of climate and disease tolerant host progenies for the future forests. The planned research is related to tree genetics, plant quarantine, forest protection and silviculture. The main objectives of this project are: a) to evaluate the impacts of alien pathogens to the indigenous microorganisms of trees and the underlying connections with the genetics of trees; b) identification of biological control agents; c) detection of the origin, pathways and genetic patterns of alien pathogens and assessment of the spores’ dispersal; d) testing of novel technological solutions for pathogens identification; e) threat assessments and control measures in forestry.
Funder: Eesti Teadusagentuur
Amount: €952,900
Funding type: grant
Funder scheme: Personal research funding: Team grant (PRG)
Start date: 2022-01-01
End date: 2026-12-31
Investigator: Rein Drenkhan
Institution: Estonian University of Life Sciences
Funded outputs count: 35
Funder award ID: PRG1615
OpenAlex ID: G7911090158