Katharina Volmer, Prof. Dr. Andrea Polle


Importance of genetic diversity for ecological functionality and stress tolerance of a poplar model ecosystem

Anthropogenic activities narrow genetic reservoir for flora and fauna. Up to now it is unknown how intraspecific diversity affects the functionality and productivity of ecosystems. With poplar as a model tree, the influence of an increasing intraspecific diversity will be analysed. Therefore, an experiment has been designed with poplars from 8 different provenances planted in 4 different diversity levels. The effects on competition between the poplars among each other and between provenances will be studied. In particular, leaf traits and gene expression related to multitrophic interactions will be investigated. The physiology, productivity, interactions between different organisms and the nutrient cycle shall be analysed to identify the lowest genetic reservoir which is needed to guarantee the functionality in this model ecosystem.