Genomics of quaking aspen trees

The goal of this project is to develop resources for climate adaptation of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), using genetic and ecological approaches. Quaking aspen is the most widely-distributed tree species in North America, and is of high ecological, cultural, and economic value. The species is experiencing high mortality in some parts of its range.

This project is sequencing the genome of two quaking aspen individuals (one from near Mono Lake, California; one from near Fish Lake, Utah). It is also genetic whole genome resequencing data for ~2000 individuals across the species range. Additionally, the project has assembled a 'living library' of aspen genotypes from wild-collected individuals, now propagated in two locations (California, Colorado).

The immediate goals of the project are to (a) determine the genomic basis of complex traits and the proximate genes involved in achieving each function; (b) predict the risk of future drought-induced mortality of each genotype in natural populations, i.e. forecasting the future geographic range of the species; and (c) provide genomic information useful for future assisted migration, marker assisted selection, for tree breeding efforts.

The broader goals of the project are to contribute to forest health and stronger relationships between people and nature, especially through long-term collaborative work with Indigenous peoples whose land includes quaking aspen.

DNA sequencing has been funded by the US Department of Energy's Joint Genome Institute. Other work has been funded by the US Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Hellman Fellows program, and the Haydn Reinecker endowment.

Benjamin Wong Blonder
benjamin.blonder@berkeley.edu

• https://benjaminblonder.org/research/climate-smart-and-culturally-sustaining-co-stewardship-of-quaking-aspen/
• https://benjaminblonder.org/research/current-themes/

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