Predicting genomic adaptation in teak, a valuable tropical tree species, to climate change

Tsukuba, Japan—Climate change is significantly affecting forest ecosystems through rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events. Tropical forests are particularly vulnerable to these changes, and the forestry sector is expected to experience severe effects due to the long-lived and stationary nature of trees, which require decades from planting to harvest.　Consequently, assessing the adaptability of tree species and populations to environmental factors such as temperature and integrating this knowledge into early-stage afforestation plans for enhancing resilience to climate change is critical.

Teak is a valuable tree species known for its use in wooden furniture and other applications. It is naturally distributed from India to Indochina and is cultivated in approximately 65 countries worldwide. The research team analyzed the genomes of trees in an international common garden, utilizing materials derived from natural populations on Java Island, as well as samples collected from plantations on the island. They examined the distribution patterns of polymorphisms among the genomes of individual trees and their correlation with environmental factors, identifying several DNA sites strongly associated with temperature. Furthermore, in evaluating adaptability to fluctuations in temperature and precipitation due to climate change using genomic data, the team found that the population in southern India demonstrated high adaptability.

These findings are essential for the effective management of genetic resources in teak, a crucial species in tropical forestry. They are also crucial for transforming management practices in globally cultivated teak forests to bolster resilience against climate change.

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This study was partly funded by the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS; JPMJSA2101).

_{Original Paper}

Title of original paper:
Genomic adaptation in teak (Tectona grandis) to local climatic conditions and implication for resilient planting strategies on Java Island

Journal:
Forest Science and Technology

DOI:
10.1080/21580103.2025.2519469

_{Correspondence}

ONUMA, Yunosuke
Doctoral Program in Agricultural Sciences, Degree programs in Life and Earth Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba

Dr. TANI, Naoki
Senior Researcher of the Forestry Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS)
Professor (Cooperative Graduate School Program), Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba

Professor Emeritus TSUMURA, Yoshihiko
Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba

_{Related Link}

Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences