University of Tasmania, Australia

Genetics of survival and growth in a changing environment

This project will study the genetic control of survival and growth of Australia’s major plantation eucalypt, Eucalyptus globulus, in traditional and water-limited environments. With southern Australia facing drier conditions through climate change and the increasing requirements in land for reforestation and carbon capture, there is an urgent need to understand the potential for adaptation in forest trees and the genetic opportunities that exist to maximize productivity in diverse environments. The student will join a multi-disciplinary team of researchers integrating quantitative genetic approaches to address these issues. They will have the opportunity to work with Australia’s national tree breeding cooperative (STBA) and industry, as well as international collaborators from countries such as Portugal and Spain.