Ecological Genetics ¶

Head: Dr. Martina Peter

Contents ¶

Projects
Aktuell
Staff

Head: Dr. Martina Peter

We study ecological processes in populations of plants, mycorrhizal fungi and animals with molecular-genetic methods and supplement them with experimental approaches. We mainly investigate species that are relevant for Switzerland owing to their function in ecosystems, their distributional focus or their conservation status. We describe how plants of the Alpine region evolve to adapt to changing environmental conditions (adaptation). As important symbiosis partners of our forest trees, we investigate mycorrhizal fungi, their adaptation to tree partners and local conditions, and their significance for the stability of forest ecosystems in a changing environment. We study how landscape features impact the dispersal and connectivity of organisms and their populations and how land use affects rare plant and animal species (conservation genetics).

Projects ¶

The pilot project GENSCOP establishes a network of experts in applied conservation genetics. This platform, co-financed by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), is primarily directed towards the cantonal authorities for solving questions on applied conservation genetics.

We investigate the role of hybridization in climate adaptation using the white oak species complex as a study system, with a special focus on Austria and Southeastern Europe.

In this DFG-SNSF Research Unit, we are investigating whether ectomycorrhizal fungal species that interact with oak are adapted to their local environment and whether ectomycorrhizae contribute to the acclimation of oak to changing environmental conditions.

OptFORESTS is an European funded project that aims to support the conservation and sustainable use of forest genetic resources.

Mit molekulargenetischen Analysen in Samenerntebeständen der Traubeneiche wollen wir zeigen, wie sich die Ausführung der Samenernte (Anzahl beernteter Mutterbäume, räumliches Design) auf die genetische Diversität und Repräsentativität des Saatgutes auswirkt.

Aktuell ¶

Short film to introduce the new Globi non-fiction book "Globi and the Microbes": We dive with Globi into the WWW of nature - the fungus network in the forest (Wood-Wide-Web). Martina Peter explains to Globi, Atlant & Arin what role mushrooms play in the forest. 03.05.2022, 9:02min

White truffle in Zurich.
24.01.2022, SRF Schweiz aktuell, 4.22min, with Dr. Martina Peter

"Catch a glimpse into the past: complementary evidence for deciphering the history of an emblematic tree species" on the Journal of Biogeographie blog.

Blog for a recent published article about post glacial migration of Swiss Stone Pine.

Staff ¶