Climate for biodiversity - INSTYTUT DENDROLOGII

Details: Written by: E. Ratajczak, H. Fuchs, J. Kijowska-Oberc; Category: Climate for biodiversity; Published: June 30, 2025; Hits: 20

We kindly invite you to listen to the workshop led by Prof. Ewelina Ratajczak, Dr. Hanna Fuchs and M.Sc. Joanna Kijowska-Oberc, titled “Biodiversity measured by breath.”

Tree seeds differ not only in shape and size but also in biochemical traits, such as respiration rate. This rate is influenced by the climatic conditions in which the seeds mature. High temperatures and low precipitation accelerate the aging process of seeds, reducing their respiration rate. Consequently, the germination process—crucial for preserving forest biodiversity—becomes disrupted. By using the Agilent Seahorse XFp device, it is possible to monitor respiration in seed cells to identify those most resistant to environmental stress caused by global warming.

We kindly invite you to listen to the workshop led by Dr. Katarzyna Rawlik and Dr. Paweł Horodecki, titled “Live and let die” – thoughts on decomposition.

Litter is the topmost layer of soil, consisting of at least 20% dead organic matter. Decomposition (the breakdown of organic matter), alongside photosynthesis, is a key process related to the cycling of matter, elements, and energy in nature. Research on the rate of decomposition is essential for understanding the consequences of changes in plant biodiversity for ecosystem functioning. During the workshop, we will present, step by step, the litter bag method, which is commonly used in studies of the decomposition process.

Details: Written by: Paweł Horodecki; Category: Climate for biodiversity; Published: June 16, 2025; Hits: 74

We kindly invite you to listen to the workshop led by Dr. Paweł Horodecki, titled “Light and Darkness. Life and Death. Where Is My Place?”—asked the forest floor plants.

What is the significance of the intensity of diffuse light reaching the forest floor for understory plants, as well as for the natural regeneration of trees and shrubs? How should one carry out the measurements? What research equipment should be used? How should the results be interpreted? The LAI-2200 plant canopy analyzer is a device used, among other things, to measure the intensity of diffuse light and the leaf area index of a stand—parameters that serve as the core or an important backdrop for numerous ecological studies.

Details: Written by: Weronika B. Żukowska, Dominika Robak; Category: Climate for biodiversity; Published: June 09, 2025; Hits: 78

We kindly invite you to listen to the workshop led by Dr. Weronika B. Żukowska and M.Sc. Dominika Robak, titled “Tracing DNA: from genetic material isolation to genotype determination.”

Methods of genetic research are developing at a very rapid pace. They also have a broad range of applications, among others in breeding, food production, medicine, and the judiciary. The first stage of genetic research is the proper preparation of tissues, for example leaves, blood, or bones. Next, the genetic material, i.e. DNA, is isolated. In genetic research, a specified set of DNA markers is usually used, which constitute a genetic profile that, just like a fingerprint, is unique to each organism.

We kindly invite you to listen to the workshop led by Dr. Błażej Wójkiewicz and Dr. Weronika B. Żukowska, titled “Parameters defining the level of genetic variation in a population.”

Genetic variability constitutes the foundation for further evolution and the survival of species on Earth. The development of molecular techniques enabling the exploration and analysis of DNA sequences has given scientists access to various types of molecular markers, by means of which we can estimate the level of genetic variability in the studied individuals and populations. Based on the obtained results, it becomes possible to draw basic conclusions about the demographic history and stability of the analyzed populations.

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