Erik Dahl Kjær

Professional background: Erik Dahl Kjær (DSc in Forest Genetics) is full professor at University of Copenhagen with previously employments as Senior Advisor on genetics (Danida Forest Seed Center) and Head of Tree Improvement and Gene Conservation Section (Danish Forest and Nature Agency). He has co-authored more than 250 Publications covering papers in peer reviewed journals, peer-reviewed contributions to books/proceedings, and guidelines on how to use the research findings in forest management, breeding and/or conservation in Denmark, Europe and Worldwide.

Research Focus: The overall theme of my research is advancing science for guidance of genetically sustainable management, conservation and domestication practices of trees in the face of climate change. I head a research group on Forest Genetics and Diversity, where they study more than 25 European tree species based on common garden trials combined with various molecular, dendro-ecology and ecophysiology methods. The objective is to study adaptive processes and capacity of tree species in their natural environments and/or in planted situations, with special emphasis on response to climate change. Recent research includes studies of epigenetic regulation and role of microbiomes for health and stability of the forest ecosystem. Cooperation with researchers from economic and social science is important to guide development of holistic and societal feasible solutions.

Key Engagements and Contributions: I have over the years addressed wise management of trees and forest by advancing the science on genetics of perennials. A major activity is related to tolerance of European ash trees towards Ash Dieback, where we in the early stage of the epidemic could identify and characterise presence of genetic tolerance, quantify the degree of inheritance and guide breeding and restoration. Besides published papers on the topic (several as part of large international co-operations), we have and developed guidance for management of the ash trees in cooperation with stakeholders. A more generic contribution to applied landscape management has been guidance on tree breeding and seed procurement that embrace high levels of genetic diversity. Also, projects on oak species in relation to both their cultural values, options for climate resilient breeding, and dynamic ecosystem management.
I advise the Danish Ministry for Agriculture and Food on issue related to forest reproductive material tree seed and take part in various international research projects and networks with many activities in the Nordic/Baltic region. This includes close cooperation with Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy on genetic analysis and conservation of forest genetic resources in the Baltic region.

Presentation Title and Objective: Trust in diversity and learn from nature: strategies for development of forest and trees with high resistance and adaptive potential toward climate change.

Forests were always essential for sustainable landscapes and societies by providing renewable wood products, harboring biodiversity, contributing to physical and mental well-being of humans, protecting ground water and reducing risk of erosion and flooding. Recently, significant afforestation has become an important part of a green transition towards fossil free societies, where quality wood products replace energy consuming concrete and steel, and captured carbon is stored for centuries in wood products while the forest ecosystem itself store carbon in soil and biomass.
Unfortunately, forests themselves are challenged by climate change, because trees adapted to the present climate may not grow well in the future climate. Dying trees have already been observed in Europe after dry summers and/or spread of new pests and pathogens.
The climate scenarios merit for serious concerns. Still, stressful conditions are not new to tree species. They have undergone dramatic climatic changes under repeated glaciations and evolved into key stone species under an array of different abiotic and biotic conditions.
The present talk discusses what we can learn about climate resilient forests by looking at generic patterns and dynamic in trees species and their associated microbiomes. And how can such new insight support the effort to create new forests that reduce the effect of climate changes rather than becoming their victims?