Genetic diversity of Scots pine forests in Germany

Alongside Norway spruce, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is the most important conifer in Germany. It has low demands regarding soil quality and is extremely resistant to drought and frost. Due to its pronounced resistance to climatic extremes and its relatively high resistance to storms, it is considered well adapted to climate change.

Despite its ecological and economic importance, very little is known about the natural genetic diversity of pine forests in Germany. The newly launched GenDivKiefer project aims to close this knowledge gap. The scientists are examining 5,000 pine trees from all over Germany and determining their genetic diversity, reconstructing the extent to which it has been altered by human management and looking for links between genetic structures and climate factors. The aim of the investigations is to manage pine forests and their genetic diversity sustainably and thus preserve it intact in the long term.

Link to the project