Promoting resilience of UK tree species to novel pests and pathogens: ecological and evolutionary solutions (PROTREE)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Biological Sciences
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
The project will take advantage of existing experimental resources that the consortium has been building for the past few years. These include living experiments (a reciprocal transplant experiment on 3 contrasting sites including 21 native provenances; a glasshouse provenance-progeny trial; field provenance-progeny and provenance trials) and genetic and genomic resources (a large database of mutations across the Scots pine genome and capability for high-throughput genotyping; reference genome for Dothistroma; genetic markers for Dothistroma and pine tree Lappet moth). These existing resources will be made available to the project at no cost.
We will assess distribution and variation in the threat organisms using surveys and genotyping, and study pathogen evolution by characterising genetic changes in samples from different populations. We will assess variation in the host using population genomics (high-density genotyping of samples from multiple populations in trials) and quantitative genetics (analysis of variation in phenotypic traits and extended phenotype - resistance, phenology, morphology, needle chemistry, needle endophyte community). Data from the biological studies will be unified in a spatially-structured database and used, with data on distribution, density and regeneration rates to model the introduction and spread of threat organisms and their interaction with a variable pine population. The models will be used to test scenarios for management change that emerge from stakeholder interactions.
We will use workshops, semi-structured interviews and focus groups with stakeholders (identified through stakeholder analysis) to identify, test and refine options for building resilient pine populations. This will be a dynamic process, with ongoing interaction between natural and social scientists in the consortium, and with stakeholders. Finally, we will create a template for extending the analysis to other tree species.
We will assess distribution and variation in the threat organisms using surveys and genotyping, and study pathogen evolution by characterising genetic changes in samples from different populations. We will assess variation in the host using population genomics (high-density genotyping of samples from multiple populations in trials) and quantitative genetics (analysis of variation in phenotypic traits and extended phenotype - resistance, phenology, morphology, needle chemistry, needle endophyte community). Data from the biological studies will be unified in a spatially-structured database and used, with data on distribution, density and regeneration rates to model the introduction and spread of threat organisms and their interaction with a variable pine population. The models will be used to test scenarios for management change that emerge from stakeholder interactions.
We will use workshops, semi-structured interviews and focus groups with stakeholders (identified through stakeholder analysis) to identify, test and refine options for building resilient pine populations. This will be a dynamic process, with ongoing interaction between natural and social scientists in the consortium, and with stakeholders. Finally, we will create a template for extending the analysis to other tree species.
Planned Impact
See main proposal
People |
ORCID iD |
| Richard Ennos (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Ennos R
(2019)
Is the introduction of novel exotic forest tree species a rational response to rapid environmental change? - A British perspective
in Forest Ecology and Management
Ennos R
(2014)
Resilience of forests to pathogens: an evolutionary ecology perspective
in Forestry
Ennos R. A.
(2020)
Species Diversification - which species should we use?
in Quarterly Journal of Forestry
Ennos RA
(2019)
Estimating the number of sexual events per generation in a facultatively sexual haploid population.
in Heredity
Perry A
(2016)
Has Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) co-evolved with Dothistroma septosporum in Scotland? Evidence for spatial heterogeneity in the susceptibility of native provenances.
in Evolutionary applications
Piotrowska M
(2016)
Fungicide sensitivity of Dothistroma septosporum isolates in the UK
in Forest Pathology
Piotrowska MJ
(2018)
Planting exotic relatives has increased the threat posed by Dothistroma septosporum to the Caledonian pine populations of Scotland.
in Evolutionary applications
Telford A
(2014)
Can we protect forests by harnessing variation in resistance to pests and pathogens?
in Forestry
| Description | We have discovered that the population of Dothistroma infecting pines in Scotland is composed of three races . There is an endemic, asexual and genetically uniform race (NPR) on native Scots pine populations that is of low virulence The large scale planting of two exotic pine species, Corsican and lodgepole pine, has introduced two more virulent races of Dothistroma. The Southern race (SR) from continental Europe is sexually reproducing and genetically variable and has caused huge damage, particularly on Corsican pine.The lodgepole pine race (LPR) has been introduced as a single fruit body from North America and has spread asexually causing significant losses in lodgepole pine plantations. Hybridisation has taken place between the introduced SR and endemic NPR races, greatly enhancing the threat posed by Dothistroma to native Scots pine populations. |
| Exploitation Route | The outcomes of this funding have led to the removal of lodgepole pine plantations from the vicinity of native pine populations, and heightened awareness among policy makers of the biosecurity implications of introducing exotic tree species that are related to our native trees. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
| URL | https://forestry.gov.scot/images/corporate/pdf/planting-in-caledonian-pinewoods-reducing-dnb-risks.pdf |
| Description | Implications of the presence of three different races of Dothistroma in Scotland, one of which may be endemic, are being incorporated into the current Dothistroma action plan. As a consequence of the research large scale programmes to remove exotic pine species from the vicinity of native pinewoods have been implemented by Scottish Forestry. The research has also provided a classic example of the biosecurity risks posed to native trees by the introduction of novel exotic species, and strengthened the arguments for thorough risk assessment before any new exotic tree species are planted on a large scale in the UK. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | Citation in Woodland Trust Emergency Tree Plan for the UK and Climate Change Position Statement |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Impact | Ensures that the major tree planting programme to combat climate change undertaken by the Woodland Trust will make use of native tree species rather than novel exotic species. |
| URL | https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/publications/2020/01/emergency-tree-plan/ |
| Description | Citation in policy document |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Impact | Removal of exotic pine species from native Caledonian Scots pine reduces the risk of damage by the needle pathogen Dothistroma septosporum. |
| URL | http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/images/corporate/pdf/planting-in-caledonian-pinewoods-reducing-dnb-r... |
| Description | Forest seed sourcing under climate change |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Reconsideration of policy on sourcing forest seed from non-local areas and planting exotic species of forest trees. |
| Title | Data from: Estimating the number of sexual events per generation in a facultatively sexual haploid population |
| Description | |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Title | Resequencing data from 25 isolates of Dothistroma septosporum |
| Description | Whole genome resequencing data for 25 isolates of Dothistroma septosporum from Scotland and Canada |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Data have been analysed and will form the basis of a future publication demonstrating hybridisation between native and introduced races of Dothistroma septosporum. |
| URL | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject/397870 |
| Description | Forest Genetics, seed supply and climate change meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Gave presentation to approximately 30 policymakers from all regions of the UK on future forest tree seed sourcing policy. This focused on changes required in the light of rapid environmental change caused by global warming and introduction of exotic pests and pathogens. The presentation stimulated extensive discussion and future invitation to address policymakers in Natural England. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | 2nd Stakeholders meeting for PROTREE project |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Reporting of results on Dothistroma fungicide resistance, and the presence of three different races of Dothistroma in Scotland and their variability and host ranges. Implications of these findings presented, especially for control of Dothistroma using fungicides in nurseries, and prevention of spread of exotic races into native pinewood populations. Presentation sparked request from policymakers for data presented in workshop in order to modify Dothistroma action plan. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Conference plenary lecture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A plenary lecture to the annual Scottish conference of the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland attended by over 100 delegates, mainly amateur botanists from throughout Scotland. Main outcome was raising awareness of the role played by introduction of exotic tree species in the generation of tree disease epidemics such as ash dieback. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Forest Pathology Group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Organised the Forest Pathology Group which brought together 30 Professional Practitioners for field visits and exchange of the most current information on tree diseases in Britain. The event has been adopted for 2017 by Forest Research and they are organising a follow on Forest Pathology group in June 2017. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Forest Tree Nursery visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Visit to nursery to learn about fungicide treatments applied to growing stock and measures to control Dothistroma in nurseries. Discussion with industry leading to call for advice on managing fungicide resistance in nurseries. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Introductory Stakeholders workshop PROTREE |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Introduction for Stakeholders to the PROTREE programme and feedback on the research objectives. Raised awareness of the programme, sparked interest in effects of disease on tree nursery management and ultimately organisation of a visit to local tree nursery. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Population Genetics Conference (Edinburgh) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Presented talk on use of population genetics to identify Dothistroma races, and the implications of the findings of three races in Scotland on management of the disease. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Talk to Botanical Society of Scotland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk to Botanical Society of Scotland on 'A History of Tree Disease - when will they ever learn' to highlight the role played by importation of live plants and growth of exotic species in the generation of devastating tree disease outbreaks with special reference to current disease in the UK. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Talk to Garden Club |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk to Colinton Garden Club on 'A History of Tree Disease' to highlight the role played by importation of live plants in the generation of devastating tree disease outbreaks with special reference to current disease in the UK. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Workshop on Genetics of Tree-Parasite Interactions in Orleans, France |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented poster on Dothstroma races in Scotland which sparked questions and discussion with international experts in this topic. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |