Mediterranean conifers found to be resistant to drought due to their genes

Knowledge of the genetic basis of drought resilience could be key in the design of management and conservation strategies for these threatened species.

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Photo: Pixabay

Two recent studies on two relict Mediterranean conifers threatened by climate change, the Spanish fir (Abies pinsapo) and the Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) investigate the genetic bases that explain their ability to adapt, resist and recover from drought events.

These works show that there is a genetic basis that explains the resilience to drought of these relict Mediterranean conifers, and that this resilience is achieved through different genes and strategies in both species.

More information (in Spanish): Abies pinsapo | Cedrus atlantica

Additional information (in Spanish)

SOURCEThe Conversation
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EFIMED is the Mediterranean Facility of the European Forest Institute. Based in Barcelona, Spain, it was launched in 2007.