In a nutshell
Why MyGardenOfTrees?
Climate change is taking an unprecedented speed and the future predictions are even more alarming. Forests in Europe represent 40% of its terrestrial ecosystem and harbour much of the European biodiversity.
Forest management strategies that help to adapt European forests to climate change could involve the intentional movement of individuals from other countries or parts of the species range. This strategy is referred to as assisted migration (see Glossary).
The Trials of MyGardenOfTrees use seeds from different places across Europe and distributes them to hundreds of small experimental gardens, each followed by a local forester. The observations from these gardens will be used to create a tool for planning assisted migration programs.
Check the video and learn more about MyGardenOfTrees in 7 minutes!
In images
1-2. The project team collects seeds of silver fir and beech across the distribution range
3-4. The team ships seeds of the two species (many provenances each!) as well as seed protectors to foresters and other volunteer participants.
5-6. The participants sow the seeds in the forest and monitor germination and growth of the seedlings for 5 years.
7-8. The scientists analyse the data collected by the participants together with genomic data and build a prediction tool to help foresters choose the best seeds to sow in their local environment. Together we can create forests better adapted to climate change!