{"id":22688,"date":"2025-04-17T23:03:30","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T23:03:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/?p=22688"},"modified":"2025-04-17T23:09:22","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T23:09:22","slug":"modifying-trees-internal-clock-to-beat-climate-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/modifying-trees-internal-clock-to-beat-climate-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Modifying Trees&#8217; Internal Clock to Beat Climate Change"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-blockquote uagb-block-e7eb3fc3 uagb-blockquote__skin-border uagb-blockquote__stack-img-none\"><blockquote class=\"uagb-blockquote\"><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__content\">A new study led by Ume\u00e5 University has discovered that modifying trees\u2019 internal clocks can boost their growth and adaptability to climate change, presenting new possibilities for forestry management.<\/div><footer><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__author-wrap uagb-blockquote__author-at-left\"><\/div><\/footer><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b0ffac9c wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">The University Network<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share uagb-social-share__outer-wrap uagb-social-share__layout-horizontal uagb-block-ee584a31\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-ec619ce7\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.8 90.69 226.4 209.3 245V327.7h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.3 482.4 504 379.8 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-32d99934\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"twitter\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-1d136f14\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"linkedin\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Researchers led by Ume\u00e5 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This latest study bridges that gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Led by Bertold Mari\u00ebn, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics at Ume\u00e5 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The study revealed significant connections between these internal clocks and tree growth cycles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur 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,\u201d Mari\u00ebn said in a news release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The researchers used statistical modeling to pinpoint which clock-associated genes impact key growth milestones, such as leaf appearance and color changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They discovered that some genetic modifications enabled trees to sense day length differently, which extended their growing season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis 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,\u201d added last author Maria E. Eriksson, an associate professor in the Department of Plant Physiology at Ume\u00e5 University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The findings hold significant implications for forestry management. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;In the future, forestry management could be improved by integrating trees\u2019 circadian clocks and their natural growth cycles with traditional practices,\u201d Eriksson added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond forestry, the study also offers valuable insights for global vegetation models, which predict forest growth and carbon storage. Mari\u00ebn noted the importance of incorporating circadian clock data into these models to improve predictions of how forests will respond to climate changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBy properly incorporating our findings on the circadian clock into global vegetation models, we can improve predictions of how forests will respond to climate change,\u201d Mari\u00ebn concluded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This interdisciplinary research was a collaborative effort involving the Ume\u00e5 Plant Science Centre (UPSC), the Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, and the Integrated Science Lab (IceLab) at Ume\u00e5 University, as well as several national and international groups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The study, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s44323-025-00034-4.epdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">published<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.umu.se\/en\/news\/adjusting-trees-internal-clocks-can-help-them-cope-with-climate-change_12076832\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Ume\u00e5 University<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Researchers led by Ume\u00e5 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-no-separators","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[241],"class_list":["post-22688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-climate-and-environment","tag-umea-university"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"The University Network","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/author\/funky_junkie\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Researchers led by Ume\u00e5 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&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22688","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22688"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22688\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22707,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22688\/revisions\/22707"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}