In issue 17/2026 of Kórniczanin (page 12), as part of the series “News from the Kórnik Gardens”, an article entitled “Will Forests Survive Climate Change?” was published by Joanna Kijowska-Oberc, MSc Eng., from the Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences.
Climate change, increasingly frequent droughts, and extreme temperatures pose serious threats to the long-term stability of forest ecosystems. Particularly concerning are projections for Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), one of the most important forest-forming tree species in Poland, whose potential distribution range in Europe may decline substantially over the coming decades.
Can the future of forests be safeguarded as early as the seed stage? This question lies at the heart of research conducted by Joanna Kijowska-Oberc, MSc. As part of her research project, she is investigating biochemical markers that could be used to assess the viability of Scots pine seeds and their tolerance to drought. Particular attention is being paid to proline metabolism and the activity of enzymes involved in its synthesis and degradation. The research encompasses Scots pine populations from different regions of Poland, allowing differences in their responses to environmental conditions to be taken into account.
The findings may help identify Scots pine populations producing seeds with greater stress tolerance, thereby contributing to improved strategies for conserving forest genetic resources and supporting forest regeneration under changing climatic conditions.
The research is carried out as part of a project funded by the National Science Centre, Poland (grant no. 2023/49/N/NZ9/01393).
