Objectif
A.General background
B.Objectives of the Action
C.Scientific content of the action
C.1.Common research teams
(a)Growth and development
(b)Tree nutrition
(c)Water relations
(d)Physical stress factors
(e)Pests and disease
C.2.Workshops and training courses
C.3.Exchange programme
C.4.Other aspects
D.Timetable
E.Organization
F.Economic dimension of the Action
A.General background
The lack of knowledge of tree physiology is still considered a major bottleneck for mastering sustainable management and conservation of forest ecosystems.
Several reasons may account for this situation, for example:
-the problem of scale and changing of scale, ranging from the molecular and cellular level, to organ, single tree and tree population;
-the particularities of trees versus other plants: longevity, maturation processes, internal transfer of nutriments, long term effects of stress factors, etc.;
-the complexity of forest ecosystems especially in terms of interactions between biotic elements and environmental factors.
In general, knowledge of tree physiology is far behind physiology of annual plants, and especially agricultural crops. Faced with such difficulties and particularities, and because of the limited number of scientists involved in forest tree physiology in the different countries, networking appears very necessary.
In fact, looking back over the last ten years, political or technical conferences dealing with regional or global forestry issues have consistently repeated that more research should be done on tree physiology. One major outcome of the SILVA governmental Conference in Paris (1986) was the launching of a cooperative research project on tree physiology between Germany and France called EUROSILVA. Subsequently (1991), it became part of the programme EUREKA as EUROSILVA-EUREKA No 447;
it ended in late 1994. At the Ministerial Conference on Forest Protection in Europe (Strasbourg 1990), 29 signatory countries committed themselves to strengthening tree physiology research on a national and international basis through better coordination: this was the core of Resolution No 5 again called EUROSILVA. This commitment was confirmed at the subsequent conference in Helsinki in 1993.
The efforts to implement Resolution No 5 have been successful in many respects:
-through EUREKA/EUROSILVA, a good network between German and French laboratories involved in tree physiology exists, with some contribution by Swiss and Czech laboratories;
-the results are very attractive to other countries;
-moreover three meetings were held in 1994 (Paris (France)) in January, Birmensdorf (Switzerland) in May and Dourdan (France) in November, in order to prepare and agree on the man lines of a possible COST cooperative research programme.
In other words, a COST project on tree physiology research could be launched very soon since all the preparatory work has been done. Owing to the action of the present EUROSILVA structures everything is ready for that purpose. This COST Action would allow an extension of the activities of the existing European EUROSILVA network and would extend very efficiently the research on tree physiology throughout Europe.
B.Objectives of the Action
The main objectives of this COST Action will be, through the network, to combine and exchange methodologies and results and to share the different approaches of tree physiology in order to better understand and maintain a sustainable production of wood in a way which has to be compatible with a fair management of the forest ecosystems.
The scientific fields to be covered will mainly deal with physiological mechanisms involved at different stages of the life of forest trees. They include:
Mechanisms of tree growth and development
Stress physiology mechanistic bases for critical levels
Tree nutrition processes
Water balance and hydraulic properties of trees
Interaction processes between trees and other organisms (microorganisms, insects...)
The Action will innovate in that, besides classical physiological approaches, it will stimulate the application of molecular biology and other new methods to tree physiology. Special training courses will be offered for this purpose. Multidisciplinary approaches will be particularly favoured.
C.Scientific content of the Action
C.1.Common research teams
Physiology covers a broad range of areas which are very often interacting; therefore it is suggested that the EUROSILVA network be organized under a
common frame. After the discussions organized in 1994 between the scientists of 13 different countries, the main areas can be summarized under five major directions that form the nucleus for common research teams:
(a)Growth and development
They are of paramount importance for obvious reasons if one refers to primary production which is still one of the major functions of forest ecosystems. A particular attention will be given to cell wall development, lignification processes and heartwood formation in normal conditions and under stress. These are key points for the elaboration of wood quality. The comprehension of juvenility and maturation processes, very specific to woody perennials, is another crucial point in view of mastering promising reproductive methods such as somatic embryogenesis or micropropagation. They are also determinant for mass propagation through classical vegetative systems. The cellular and molecular bases of plant regeneration would also be investigated. Finally seed dormancy physiology as well as storage physiology requires more attention for improving seed management and developing adequate gene conservation systems.
(b)Tree nutrition
It is also considered a major theme since forest soils are sometimes deficient in some nutriments, and because they are exposed to atmospheric depositions of various elements. In addition, carbon nutrition in the context of the increasing carbon dioxyde rate will also be
considered. Mycorhizae as an essential symbiosis involved in nutrition processes will be investigated by looking at the molecular basis of mycorhization and the mycorhizae function in tree nutrition; their regulation by environmental factors and biotic factors (preexisting soil microorganisms as potential antagonists of inoculated strains). Economy of carbon and nitrogen, as major components of tree nutrition, should also be addressed. In this respect, the changes in carbon and nitrogen allocation in trees as a response to an increase in carbon dioxyde atmospheric rate could receive special attention.
(c)Water relations
Water is one of the most limiting factors of forest productivity from the transplantation stage to the mature stage. Therefore a strong emphasis must be put on this part of the physiology in trees. Even if there are still a lot of uncertainties in the rainfall regimes in the context of a possible "global change", we must anticipate by acquiring better knowledge on water relations. Emphasis will be put on water use efficiency in trees by looking at its genetic and environmental determinism. Stomatal regulation in relation with hydraulic architecture in response to environmental constraints would also be covered. In this respect all the aspects related to cavitation or suchlike will be considered.
(d)Physical stress factors
Factors such as drought, high temperature, cold and freezing, atmospheric pollutants, increased UVB require to be more investigated in terms of physiological impact on tree response. This would also include acclimation processes to these factors. Genetic engineering could be explored in model experiments as a way to counteract certain stressors.
(e)Pests and disease
They are potential threats for the sustainability of European forests, especially in a changing environment. It is proposed to look more closely at tree/pest and/or disease interaction and defence mechanisms in trees. Genetic engineering will also be considered as a potential tool to enhance resistance.
For all these topics a good knowledge of the biology of the species should be combined with the most modern methodologies in biochemistry and molecular biology. Some recent breakthroughs in the field of gene expression in relation to lignin synthesis encourage these approaches. On the other side giving access to the partners of the action to some forest experimental plots especially designed by other partners for ecophysiological studies should be another objective of this COST Action.
Finally it is intended that the COST project, even dealing with necessary basic research should be targeted towards practical applications for forest management and/or conservation. It is also quite clear that the topics listed above could be modified after discussion, especially in order to make them even more focused or concentrated.
C.2.Workshops and training courses
The different scientific topics mentioned above are in fact very interactive in the physiological processes in trees. It has been the experience of the four countries involved in the former EUREKA EUROSILVA project that common general workshops for the scientists involved in these different fields are very profitable and have generated unexpected collaboration and beneficial cross-fertilization. Thus, with all the new countries, such a general workshop (at least 60 participants) should be necessary during the first year and repeated at least at the end of the action. Through a preliminary call for identifying the different teams, it would allow the definition and composition of collaborating working groups which might, later on, have some independent activities such as coordination of ongoing research work and specialized workshops (20 to 30 scientists) or seminars. The working groups are likely to fit with the different areas defined in paragraph 3. A workshop for each working group should be planned every other year which means about two such specialized workshops every year (see timetable).
It is also suggested that international training courses for a limited number of participants (10 to 15) from different countries and laboratories could be organized by such working groups, especially to introduce and develop new concepts and new technologies in laboratories where they are not yet used.
C.3.Exchange programme
It is clear that exchanges which allow the scientists, especially the younger ones, to become acquainted with the laboratories, colleagues, and research
techniques in other countries are the basis of durable strengthening of the network. They should be encouraged through short term exchanges and prospecting for external funding for long term exchanges.
Under the responsibility of the chairperson, a scientific committee for the Action should be organized with experts for the different areas. It will discuss the proposals made by the working groups for the workshop training courses and training courses and the exchange programme.
C.4.Other aspects
The participating laboratories are, in most cases, likely to be already involved in research in tree physiology and, in this respect, already partially financed for their research. However, a COST Action could help in coordinating this ongoing research work and, through very dynamic working groups, it should stimulate responses to calls for offers from different granting national or international agencies, thus promoting specific common research projects.
Within the COST Action it is also proposed to establish a specific Directory for forest tree physiology research in the participating countries. It would include the name of the laboratories and scientists, research fields, techniques used and facilities available. Besides a stimulation of publications in international scientific journals, COST may also allow financing of proceedings or guidelines for specific fields. The final results of the Action will be published as a book.
D.Timetable
Implementation of the Action would require 5 years. Several preparatory meetings have already taken place and additional ones are not required.
Year 1:
1.First Management Committee meeting and election of the chairperson and a deputy chairperson.
2.General workshop: "State of the art in forest tree physiology" (about 60 participants), final definition of the working groups, election of the working group leaders.
3.Definition of coordinated research-work in each working group.
4.Launching of the exchange and training programme.
5.Call for information for a specific Directory for forest tree physiology research in the participating countries.
Year 2:
1.Second Management Committee.
2.Specialized workshops (20 participants each) for 2 of the working groups.
3.Possibly training course for one working group.
4.Follow up of the coordinated research work.
5.Exchange programme.
6.Edition of the abovementioned Directory.
Year 3:
1.Third Management Committee, especially devoted to the mid-term evaluation of the action.
2.Specialized workshops (20 participants each) for the other 2 or 3 working groups.
3.Possibly training course for one other working group.
4.Follow up of the coordinated research work.
5.Exchange programme.
Year 4:
1.Fourth Management Committee.
2.Specialized workshops (20 participants each) for 2 or 3 working groups.
3.Follow up of the coordinated research work.
4.Exchange programme.
Year 5:
1.Fifth Management Committee.
2.Evaluation of results.
3.Preparation of the final report.
4.Second general meeting (about 60 participants).
5.Discussion and adoption of the final report by the participating countries.
6.Book publication.
E.Organization
The participants of the action would have during the first year to establish their organizational rules.
However it is proposed that each participating country organize its own national EUROSILVA network and designate a national coordinator (they are already active in some countries) to run it. The latter ones will be directly in contact with the chairperson of the COST Action and they will be members of the Management Committee
Finally each working group will have to elect a Leader of the Group. The Management Committee should organize internal review procedures to review the quality of all the activities of the working groups. It will evaluate the project at mid term of the Action and focus the priorities for the second half.
F.Economic dimension of the Action
On present information, the total cost can be estimated at about ECU 8,5 million per year.
Current status
The Management Committee is chaired by Ms Satu Huttunen (FIN) with Mr. Jurg Bucker (CH) as vice-chairman. The Action is structured as three working groups :
- Working Group 1 : Growth and development
co-ordinated by Mr. Björn Sundberg (S)
- Working Group 2 : Tree nutrition and water relationships
co-ordinated by Mr. Paul Jarvis (UK)
- Working Group 3 : Biotic and abiotic interactions
co-ordinated by Mr. Rainer Matyssek (D).
The first Workshop, held in Thessaloniki (GR), in October 1996, had Resource utilisation from cell to canopy as its theme and attracted 67 participants. Sessions were held on Tree growth development and wood formation (WG1), Water case and water transport (WG2), and Anthropogenic and natural stress (WG3).
The second workshop will be held in Finland in September of 1997.
Programme(s)
Thème(s)
Appel à propositions
Data not availableRégime de financement
Data not availableCoordinateur
1049 Brussels
Belgique