Managing Genetic Diversity in BC Forests

About this Presentation

Climate change continues to present new and oftentimes unpredictable challenges for our forest ecosystems. The tree populations that often form the foundation of these systems are rooted in place, unable to avoid or outpace these rapid changes. Instead they must rely on standing genetic variation to withstand and adapt to emerging pressures. For this reason, management of genetic variation has been at the heart of forestry since its conception. In this presentation, Haley will focus on how genetic diversity is managed in BC forests, in both the context of commercial forestry and conservation. With the combination of changing climates, extreme weather events, and persistently emerging pests and pathogens, genetic diversity will be a key strategy towards ensuring resilient forests into the future. No prior knowledge of genetics necessary for attendance, just an appreciation of BC forests!

About Haley Tumas

Hayley is a research scientist with the Ministry of Forests working on treebreeding and genetic conservation. Her work in conservation genetics has taken her across countries, systems, and species, from salt marshes in the Gulf of Mexico to commercial forestry in the UK. She landed in BC in 2020 for a postdoc with Sally Aitken at UBC examining landscape-level genetic diversity in BC forest management. The goal of her work is to use genetic techniques and theory for the effective management and conservation of natural resources.