HybOakAdapt - Genomics of hybridization in white oaks for climate-adapted Austrian forests

Our aim is to investigate the role of hybridization in climate adaptation using the white oak species complex (Quercus spp.) as a study system, with a special focus on Austria and Southeastern Europe. We test whether the transmission of adaptive traits is facilitated by hybridization under specific climatic conditions. With this aim, we produce a population genomic dataset that includes the most widespread species, their hybrids and local subspecies and varieties along a climatic gradient – from relatively humid and cold conditions in Austria to dry and hot sites on the Black Sea coast. This allows us to quantify the extent of introgression, track its evolutionary dynamics over time and identify introgression hotspots in the genome with potentially adaptive functions. The findings from our approach will provide essential information for the management of forest genetic resources in the context of climate change in Austria and Europe.

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