Ecogenomics of managed tropical landscapes

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In the tropics - as in the temperate zone - the present movement towards the use of exotic and transgenic plants and their microsymbionts in human-dominated landscapes, principally to meet the current and future food and fibre production needs, poses both threats and opportunities. The risks associated with this strategy include a reduction in genetic diversity and the pollution of native gene pools. These have the potential to negatively impact populations, communities, and ecosystems. For the next five years, the proposed research program will use genomic techniques to investigate this problematic in Eucalyptus plantations in southern Brazil. The objectives of the proposed research program are to: i) develop robust neutral non-coding and adaptive coding gene markers for Eucalyptus species and their associated ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECMF); ii) assess the genetic diversity and monitor the movement (gene flow) and impacts of new genes and genomes in exotic populations of Eucalyptus and their ECMF; iii) assess the functional responses in different environments; and iv) develop spatially explicit individual-based simulation models and statistical ecogenomic methods. Ultimately, results from these studies will provide the necessary scientifically sound background information for making informed decisions for biodiversity conservation and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification of exotic/hybrid Eucalyptus forest plantations in the tropics. The results will provide a better understanding of ecosystem function and environmental sustainability at the genetic level (e.g., inter-and intra-specific genetic variation, invasiveness, introgression, reduced fitness and perceived redundancy), particularly within the context of the manipulation of biodiversity in managed landscapes. Applications of genomics for environmental use are of critical importance to Canadian society and to Canada's role in the international arena. The project will involve the training of Ph.D., M.Sc. and B.Sc. summer students in this rapidly developing research area. To address the different components of the project, collaboration with other scientists is anticipated.