Conference Agenda:
6 May 2026
08.00–09.00 – Registration
09:00–09:30 – Opening ceremony
Prof. Andrzej M. Jagodziński Director of the Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences
Kórnik Arboretum: the living heart of the Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Session Chairs: Prof. Ewa M. Kalemba, Prof. Marcin Pietras and Prof. Ewelina Ratajczak
9:30–9:50 – Prof. Dominik Tomaszewski
Big Data fuels a Botanical Time Machine
9:50–10:10 – Dr. Katarzyna Sękiewicz
Genetic diversity and hybridization for forest resilience
10:10–10:30 – Prof. Emilia Pers-Kamczyc
Does plant sex matter? Dioecious plants in the face of environmental change
10:30–10:50 – Prof. Marzenna Guzicka
Winter – an enemy and an ally of trees
10:50–11:10 – Prof. Joanna Mucha
Rooted in the past: climate memory in tree roots and microbiomes
11:10–11:40 – Coffee break
11:40–12:00 – Prof. Tomasz Leski
Diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi in Polish bare-root forest nurseries: the key to successful forest regeneration
12:00–12:20 – Prof. Leszek Karliński
Biomass of soil microorganisms as an indicator of changes in forest soil
12:20–12:40 – Dr. Marta B. Kujawska
Hidden connections: Scotch broom and symbiotic fungi in forests
12:40–13:00 – Prof. Agnieszka Szuba
Understanding tree physiological function and abiotic stress tolerance: the role of biochemical and omics analyses
13:00–13:20 – Prof. Olena Blinkova
Multilevel responses of urban forest lianas along environmental gradients
13:20–13:40 – Dr. Mikołaj K. Wawrzyniak
Every seed matters: seed storage, dormancy and germination in forestry practice
13:40–14:40 – Lunch
14:40–15:00 – Prof. Teresa Hazubska-Przybył
Somatic embryogenesis and cryopreservation of conifers: integrating biotechnological advances with practical forestry
15:00–15:20 – Dr. Weronika B. Żukowska
Two species, one goal: contrasting genetic conservation challenges in forest trees
15:20–15:40 – Dr. Francesco Latterini
LiDAR for smarter forest operations: Today’s tools, tomorrow’s pathways
15:40–16:00 – Coffee break
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Room A
Session 1: Session Chair – Prof. Joanna Mucha
16:00–16:15 – Ondřej Nezval
Temperature-driven onset and light quality-linked senescence in Fagus sylvatica phenology
16:15–16:30 – Shirin Alipour
Iranian oak habitats and space: a combined gap analysis to inform effective protected areas expansion
16:30–16:45 – Michał Delikta
Estimating current and future bioclimatic suitability of alien tree species Ailanthus altissima on tree-related land cover types in Europe
16:45–17:00 – Natalia Mazurek
The age of managed deciduous forest stands shapes opposing trends in biodiversity: lichens gain, plants lose
17:00–17:15 – Sebastian Bury
Spatial and temporal climate signals in reproductive traits of Scots pine across Poland
17:15–17:40 – Discussion
Room B
Session 1: Session Chair – Prof. Leszek Karliński
16:00–16:15 – Lydiane Lúcia de Sousa Bastos
Viability of native forest seeds through images: Contributions to forest restoration in the Amazon
16:15–16:30 – Hanna Fuchs
Maples as a model system for comparative seed biology
16:30–16:45 – Katarzyna Kondrat
No seed size–number trade-off in European beech: climate governs investment per seed
16:45–17:00 – Amir M. Mokhtari
Photosynthetic pigment accumulation and degradation during embryogenesis and seed maturation in Acer platanoides and Acer pseudoplatanus
17:00–17:15 – Willian C. L. Souza
Combined effect of seed size and biofertilizer on the initial establishment of mulungu (Erythrina velutina Willd.) seedlings
17:15–17:40 – Discussion
19:00–20:30 – Dinner
21:00 – Night tour of the Kórnik Castle
Kórnik Castle – Picturesquely situated and surrounded by a moat and a historic park, Kórnik Castle is a Neo-Gothic residence with a rich history dating back to the 15th century. It currently serves as the seat of the Polish Academy of Sciences Kórnik Library.
Visitors to the castle can admire its original interiors as well as valuable collections of literature, art, militaria, and manuscripts.
7 May 2026
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Room A
Session 2: Session Chair – Prof. Emilia Pers-Kamczyc
9:30–9:45 – Vicmar F. Jugado
Mangrove forest cover change assessment of Sibuyan Island, Philippines (2010–2020) using Landsat remote sensing
9:45–10:00 – Magdalena Majchrzak
Early-spring vegetation dynamics in deciduous forests revealed by Sentinel-1 radar and ground phenological observations
10:00–10:15 – Magdalena Kurłowicz
Tree rings as climate archives: Growth response of Pinus sylvestris in the Lower Silesian Forests
10:15–10:30 – Mateusz Muzolf
Growth responses of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) to extreme droughts in southern Sweden
10:30–10:45 – Jagoda Penkala
Pointer-year analysis in tree-ring chronologies of Scots pine, Norway spruce and pedunculate oak from the Lower Silesian Forests
10:45–11:05 – Discussion
Room B
Session 2: Session Chair – Prof. Agnieszka Szuba
9:30–9:45 – Gustavo F. Mariano
Evaluation of the influence of environmental and nutritional factors on the in vitro cultivation of Paubrasilia echinate (Lam.) Gagnon, H.C.Lima & G.P.Lewis
9:45–10:00 – Antonina M. Dubińska
Morphological responses and recovery potential of Fagus sylvatica L. and Quercus robur L. seedlings under water deficit and soil drought conditions
10:00–10:15 – Joanna Kijowska-Oberc
Stress tolerance marker or protective substance? Proline as a tool in the fight against drought in forests
10:15–10:30 – Elwira Nawrocka
Survival and physiological parameters of embryogenic tissues of Picea abies cultured in vitro
10:30–10:45 – Adam Bąk
Morphophysiological factors regulating rooting of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) in vitro
10:45–11:05 – Discussion
11:05–11:35 – Coffee break
Room A
Session 3: Session Chair – Prof. Olena Blinkova
11:35–11:50 – Shiekh M. Haq
Non-native forests enhance carbon storage at the cost of ecological integrity
11:50–12:05 – Zofia Jabs-Sobocińska
Modeling post-agricultural forest regeneration using the forest maturity index
12:05–12:20 – Natalia Kisiel
Changes in vegetation diversity in Dębowe Góry Nature Reserve – Impacts of the disintegration of thermophilous oak forest
12:20–12:35 – Joanna B. Barton
Hidden diversity of tree pathogens in an urban ecosystem: phytopathogenic fungi of deciduous trees in Szczytnicki Park
12:35–12:50 – Martin Garnier
Connecting above- and below-ground genetic diversity in ectomycorrhizal fungi
12:50–13:10 – Discussion
Room B
Session 3: Session Chair – Prof. Tomasz Leski
11:35–11:50 – Mihhail Brodski
Putting a young forest under a microscope – and seeing fungi
11:50–12:05 – Tomasz Sobczak
Hidden in plain sight: Artomyces microsporus in the Polish mycobiota
12:05–12:20 – Jan Sós
Genetic diversity and ecological niche assessment of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) conservation resources in the Sudetes
12:20–12:35 – Martyna Lasek
Balancing genetic integrity and adaptive potential under climate change: The Scots pine case
12:35–12:50 – Mawsam Sammoudi
Genomic maladaptation to climate change within-populations and adaptive potential of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)
12:50–13:10 – Discussion
13:10–14:10 – Lunch
Room A
Session 4: Session Chair – Prof. Daniel J. Chmura
14:10–14:25 – Agnieszka Hutniczak
Micromorphology of epicuticular waxes and cell wall chemical composition of aspen leaves (Populus tremula) from novel ecosystem habitats
14:25–14:40 – Beata Ciak-Wojdyła
Forest understory plant responses to increased light and temperature: changes in functional traits and physiology
14:40–14:55 – Mariola Rabska
Intersexual differences in common mistletoe (Viscum album L.)
14:55–15:10 – Yike Zou
Ontogenetic shifts in ecological strategy in a tall tropical tree species
15:10–15:25 – Keyssa Laidi
Influence of canopy structure and light on the regeneration of Numidian fir (Abies numidica de Lannoy) in the mixed forest of Mount Babor
15:25–15:45 – Discussion
Room B
Session 4: Session Chair – Dr. Francesco Latterini
14:10–14:25 – Muyisa Wasukundi
Growth dynamics and timber yield potential of underutilized tree species in the Congo Basin
14:25–14:40 – Aurora Bonaudo
Spatial Decision Support System for harvesting and wood system selection in chestnut coppices: a GIS-AHP application in Central Italy
14:40–14:55 – Nicolò Di Marzio
Harvesting of poplar clones in a silvoarable system: insights from an experimental case study in Italy
14:55–15:10 – Konstantinos Filintas
Mating disruption for the management of Lymantria dispar
15:10–15:25 – Kosta Đurica
Diameter growth of sessile oak as a basis for defining forest management objectives
15:25–15:45 – Discussion
15:45–16:15 – Coffee break
Room A
Session 5: Session Chair – Dr. Weronika B. Żukowska
16:15–16:30 – Fernanda Neves Lima
Genetic resources for a sustainable rosewood essential oil industry in South America: Insights from genetic, genomic, and chemical approaches
16:30–16:45 – Airish Castillo
Integrated climate response and biomass modeling of the endemic conifer Picea omorika
16:45–17:00 – Magdalena Terlecka
The effect of sex and clonality on the climatic–hydrological response of radial growth in white poplar (Populus alba)
17:00–17:15 – Sérgio Pedro Junior
Thermal plasticity and maturation-induced dormancy in Anadenanthera macrocarpa seeds
17:15–17:30 – Ocean Williams
Trait variation across multiple biological scales in recalcitrant Fagaceae seeds
17:30–17:50 – Discussion
Room B
Session 5: Session Chair – Prof. Teresa Hazubska-Przybył
16:15–16:30 – Maria C. Boukouvala
Evaluation of trunk and adhesive barrier traps as sustainable management strategies for Thaumetopoea pityocampa larvae
16:30–16:45 – Lucija Žgela
Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in coppice forest management: Insights from the Croatian Dinarides
16:45–17:00 – Petr Zapletal
Regeneration pathway shapes nutrient stocks and litter accumulation under newly established silver fir stands in secondary Norway spruce monocultures: a stand-level comparison
17:00–17:15 – Irene Giubilei
From first reports to hidden reservoirs: emerging forest pathogens dynamics under climate pressure in Central Italy
17:15–17:30 – Monika Sołoniewicz
Origin matters: mechanical variability of Scots pine wood from different provenances
17:30–17:50 – Discussion
18:00–22:00 – Dinner
8 May 2026
9:00 – 13:15 – Workshops at Institute of Dendrology PAS
Workshop: Population genetics of trees – DNA in forest ecology research
Workshop leaders: Dr. Weronika B. Żukowska, Dr. Katarzyna Sękiewicz, Dr. Łukasz Walas
The workshop on population genetics focuses on demonstrating how information contained in DNA can be used to study forest tree populations and the processes occurring within them. Today, genetics constitutes an important complement to classical ecological research, allowing for a more accurate interpretation of field observations related to the origin of populations, their genetic diversity, and their responses to environmental factors.
During the workshop, participants will become familiar with basic concepts related to genetic variation in populations and will learn what types of information can be obtained from simple DNA analyses. The sessions will illustrate how genetic data help to understand relationships among individuals, levels of population admixture, and the influence of historical and habitat conditions on present-day population structure. Particular emphasis will be placed on the practical relevance of genetic information rather than on the technical aspects of genetic methods.
An integral part of the workshop will be a problem-oriented approach combining genetics and ecology. Participants will learn how to integrate genetic data with environmental knowledge in order to better interpret processes such as population regeneration, stability, and responses to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. The workshop aims to present genetics as an accessible and useful research tool that, even at a basic level, enables meaningful questions to be asked about the functioning of tree populations and the future of forest ecosystems.
Workshop: Cryopreservation and somatic embryogenesis – advanced technologies for the conservation of genetic resources
Workshop leader: Dr. Joao Paulo Rodrigues Martins
This workshop focuses on cryopreservation and somatic embryogenesis as modern, highly specialized technologies enabling the long-term preservation and controlled regeneration of genetic resources of woody plants. These methods are currently at the forefront of developmental biology, plant biotechnology, and modern forestry, offering practical solutions to challenges related to biodiversity loss, instability of generative reproduction, and the adaptation of organisms to rapidly changing environmental conditions.
Particular emphasis will be placed on somatic embryogenesis as a process requiring precise regulation at the cellular and molecular levels. Participants will learn about key mechanisms underlying the transition of somatic cells to a totipotent state, including the roles of oxidative stress, redox signaling, and interactions among endogenous growth regulators. Current research directions aimed at modulating these processes under in vitro conditions to enhance the efficiency of embryogenic tissue initiation and stability will also be discussed.
An integral component of the workshop will be cryopreservation as a technology enabling the “suspension of time” at the cellular level. Participants will be introduced to the biological basis of cell survival at ultra-low temperatures, the importance of controlling the physiological status of biological material before and after freezing, and the role of cryopreservation in maintaining the developmental competence of stored tissues. These topics will be presented in the broader context of establishing biological material banks and implementing modern strategies for the conservation and utilization of genetic resources.
Workshop: Identification of tree and shrub species – practical field methods
Workshop leader: MSc Katarzyna Broniewska
Field workshops devoted to the identification of tree and shrub species will be conducted at the Arboretum of the Institute of Dendrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences and will focus on the practical development of skills related to the identification of woody plants. The sessions aim to familiarize participants with the Arboretum’s living collections, including a presentation of the oldest specimens preserved in Kórnik.
Participants will learn how to use dendrological identification keys and how to recognize morphological features essential for species identification, such as leaf structure, shoots, buds, bark, and fruits. The workshops will demonstrate how to interpret morphological variability and how to avoid common identification errors resulting from individual, seasonal, or environmental differences.
Participants will also become acquainted with the principles of basic floristic documentation, including recording diagnostic features, locations, and habitat conditions. During the sessions, issues related to the functioning of the collection database will be presented, including its structure and practical applications in collection management and information sharing, both for professional users and for educational and outreach purposes. The workshop will help systematize knowledge related to field species identification and the verification of correct botanical nomenclature.
13:30 – Lunch
15:00 – Departure to Wolin National Park
Field excursion in Wolin National Park
May 9 2026
8:00 – Breakfast
9.30 – 18.00 - Field excursion in Wolin National Park:
- Gosań Hill (cliff shore, orchid coastal beech forest Cephalanthero rubrae-Fagetum; Natura 2000 priority habitat 9150/5);
- European Bison Breeding Centre;
- Lake Turkusowe (Turquoise);
- Władysław Szafer Reserve (lowland fertile beech forest Galio odorati-Fagetum; habitat 9120);
- Zielonka Hill – a viewpoint overlooking the Bay of Pomerania, the Świna River delta and the Szczecin Lagoon.
20:00 – Dinner
10 May 2026
8:00 – Breakfast
10:00 - Aquatic ecosystems of the Wolin National Park – cruise along the retrograde delta of the Swina River.
Return to Kórnik - around 18:00 (6 p.m.)