A new study led by Umeå University has discovered that modifying trees’ internal clocks can boost their growth and adaptability to climate change, presenting new possibilities for forestry management.
Researchers led by Umeå University have made a groundbreaking discovery that could significantly enhance tree growth and adaptability in the face of climate change. By manipulating the circadian clocks of trees, the scientists found they could better synchronize tree growth with changing environmental conditions, opening up new frontiers for forestry.
Trees, like humans, have circadian clocks that regulate their daily and seasonal rhythms. These internal clocks alter important functions, such as leaf budding in spring and bud formation in autumn.
However, prior research primarily focused on controlled greenhouse environments, leaving a gap in understanding how these clocks function in natural settings where variables like temperature fluctuations and insect predation come into play.
This latest study bridges that gap.
Led by Bertold Mariën, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics at Umeå University, the research involved extensive examination of 68 genetically modified poplar and aspen lines. These trees, many of which had modifications to their circadian clock genes, were monitored in both greenhouse and field conditions over several years.
The study revealed significant connections between these internal clocks and tree growth cycles.
“Our study is the first to combine datasets from greenhouse and field studies to show that multiple aspects of the circadian clock system influence tree growth and the timing of life-cycle events,” Mariën said in a news release.
The researchers used statistical modeling to pinpoint which clock-associated genes impact key growth milestones, such as leaf appearance and color changes.
They discovered that some genetic modifications enabled trees to sense day length differently, which extended their growing season.
“This study is a proof-of-concept that trees conditioned to a particular length of day at a certain latitude can be adapted to a new latitude, effectively extending their growing season. This is especially useful at higher latitudes like in Northern Sweden where short growing seasons limit timber production,” added last author Maria E. Eriksson, an associate professor in the Department of Plant Physiology at Umeå University.
The findings hold significant implications for forestry management.
By focusing on specific clock genes, scientists can potentially breed tree varieties that not only grow faster but are also more resilient to environmental changes. This could lead to enhanced timber production and other forestry benefits, particularly in regions with shorter growing seasons.
“In the future, forestry management could be improved by integrating trees’ circadian clocks and their natural growth cycles with traditional practices,” Eriksson added.
Beyond forestry, the study also offers valuable insights for global vegetation models, which predict forest growth and carbon storage. Mariën noted the importance of incorporating circadian clock data into these models to improve predictions of how forests will respond to climate changes.
“By properly incorporating our findings on the circadian clock into global vegetation models, we can improve predictions of how forests will respond to climate change,” Mariën concluded.
This interdisciplinary research was a collaborative effort involving the Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC), the Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, and the Integrated Science Lab (IceLab) at Umeå University, as well as several national and international groups.
The study, published in the journal npj Biological Timing and Sleep, showcases how blending statistical learning with plant science can elucidate the role of biological timing in tree growth.
Source: Umeå University