UCLA, Nature Conservancy Use Genetics To Protect Oak Trees

LOS ANGELES, CA — UCLA researchers are partnering with The Nature Conservancy to use advanced genetic analysis to help preserve California's oak trees, which are increasingly threatened by climate change and habitat loss, university officials announced Wednesday.

The effort uses whole-genome sequencing to identify which oak populations are best suited to survive future climate conditions, with the goal of guiding conservation and restoration efforts across the state, according to project scientists.

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In three recent studies, UCLA scientists and The Nature Conservancy analyzed the full genetic code of hundreds of oak trees — some of which can live more than 500 years — to determine which are best adapted to a changing climate.

"We're now putting this science into practice across California," Scott Butterfield, land program lead scientist for The Nature Conservancy, said in a statement. "By using genomic data to guide restoration ... we can test whether trees predicted to be more climate-resilient actually perform better on the ground."

Scientists said the research is already being applied in restoration efforts, including relocating acorns from trees adapted to warmer climates into areas expected to face similar conditions in the future.

"Genomics is the missing link between laboratory science and effective land management," said Victoria Sork, a UCLA distinguished professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. "By mapping the patterns of genetic variation underlying how different populations respond to heat and drought, my research team provides the scientific framework for the strategic movement of climate-resilient seeds to new areas."

Oak trees play a critical role in California ecosystems, supporting thousands of plant and animal species while also helping remove carbon from the atmosphere, officials said.

The research is intended to guide large-scale conservation strategies by identifying which tree populations are most resilient to future climate conditions and where they are most likely to thrive.

Scientists said the approach could help improve restoration efforts, particularly in areas damaged by wildfires, by ensuring seeds are planted in environments suited to their long-term survival.

The work also supports California's goal of conserving 30% of its lands and coastal waters by 2030, with oak woodlands representing a significant portion of the state's unprotected ecosystems.

"This groundbreaking effort by UCLA and the Nature Conservancy has tremendous potential for the future of reforestation efforts," said Jimi Scheid, deputy chief of reforestation services for Cal Fire. "This research can assist forest landowners ... by helping to identify suitable seed sources that are forecasted to be adapted to a changing climate."

City News Service