Workshop within WP2 (Topic 1)

Populations can respond to environmental change by phenotypic plasticity, by moving to a new area corresponding to environmental conditions they are adapted to, by genetically adapting to the new conditions, or by combinations of these responses (Aitken et al. 2008). Extensive attention has been paid to the immediate phenotypic responses due to phenotypic plasticity (Nicotra et al. 2010) and to the potential of populations to extend their ranges (Parmesan 2006). Reductions in range due to mortality have also been documented (ref). The potential for genetic responses have been often neglected, for instance in the IPCC reports, even if it is well known that evolutionary changes, i.e. genetic responses have also historically accompanied changes in climate (Davis and Shaw 2001). Here we examine the importance and potential for genetic responses in trees. Trees are very important in many terrestrial ecosystems, such as boreal and temperate forests in Europe and North America. Considering evolutionary responses in relation to climate change in long lived organisms such as trees may seem difficult because of the rapid pace of the environmental change.

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