Institute of Forest Ecology
Topic
Mechanism of spruce (Picea abies L.) resistance to multiple stressors in climate change conditions
PhD. program
Forest Ecology
Year of admission
2026
Name of the supervisor
Ing. Rastislav Jakuš, DrSc.
Contact:
Receiving school
Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen
Annotation
The main objective of the proposed research is to study the mechanism of genetic, chemical, and morphological resistance of spruce to multiple stressors in climate change conditions, spectral markers of resistance. We propose interdisciplinary research incorporating advanced field surveys, field bioassays, laboratory experiments, sample processing, and data analyses. The key data source will comprise the establishment of comprehensive field observation plots. Trees will be sampled for primary metabolites, secondary metabolites (monoterpenes and phenolic compounds) and transcriptome laboratory analyses. The study will also employ hyperspectral images of forest stands. The result of the proposed research will provide a model that incorporates genetic, chemical, morphological, and spectral drivers of tree resistance mechanisms. The research will be carried out as part of a wider international team.