Project description
Checking genetic secrets to combat climate change
Climate change poses a severe threat to forest species, particularly as the genetic makeup of populations struggles to keep pace with rapidly shifting climatic conditions. This disconnect can hinder local adaptation, leading to increased genetic erosion and even extinction. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MedForAct project focuses on three iconic pine species native to the Mediterranean basin: Pinus halepensis, P. pinaster, and P. pinea. By analysing a genomic dataset of around 800 individuals, the project aims to identify key genes that contribute to these species’ adaptation. Ultimately, MedForAct will develop software to assist forest managers in implementing targeted reforestation strategies, enhancing the resilience of forests against climate change.
Objective
The impact of climate change on forest species is predicted to be dramatic due to the insurgence of adaptive lags between the current genetic make-up of populations and the newly established climatic conditions. The consequent disruption of local adaptation is of concern as plants may not be able to readapt or migrate fast enough, which could inflate genetic erosion, eradication and extinction. Ongoing conservation efforts are currently devoted to the characterization of forest genetic resources, with the aim of maximising adaptive potentials and increasing the chance for forests to tackle future conditions. Here, MedForAct will focus on three iconic pine species native to the Mediterranean basin (Pinus halepensis, P. pinaster and P. pinea) to identify a core set of genes and gene networks that may have fostered their convergent adaptation in the face of compelling ecological challenges and despite million years of independent evolution. To tackle this challenge, the project will use a newly produced genomic dataset composed of c. 800 individuals genotyped at c. 100K SNPs representing both neutral and adaptive variation. Detecting signatures of convergent adaptation could highlight the adaptive potential of these species, with implications for the development of genomic-informed management strategies and setting conservation priorities based on predicted climate change scenarios. Following this, MedForAct envisages using the detected top-ranked candidates to develop a new software for forest management, with the aim of providing forest managers with a practical means of implementing targeted reforestation approaches by monitoring the expected adaptive lag of populations using genomics and future climatic predictions.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software
- engineering and technology environmental engineering ecosystem-based management ecological restoration
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
00185 Roma
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.