Rashaduz Zaman | ALES Graduate Seminar

Event details: A graduate exam seminar is a presentation of the student’s final research project for their degree.
This is an ALES PhD Final Exam Seminar by Rashaduz Zaman. This seminar is open to the general public to attend.

PhD with Dr. Nadir Erbilgin

Thesis Topic: Effects of Changing Climate on Interactions Among Mountain Pine Beetle, Host Tree, and Microorganisms

Abstract:

Environmental factors, including elevated levels of CO₂ and O₃, significantly impact global forest ecosystems, leading to shifts in pest and pathogen distribution. The mountain pine beetle (MPB), a serious threat to Canadian boreal forests, has expanded its range due to changing climate. This study investigated the anticipated effects of changing climatic factors on the MPB and fungal relationship. Fungal symbionts associated with MPB detoxified host monoterpenes, elevating terpene and oxygenated monoterpene concentrations, potentially altering host defence and MPB attraction. Pathogenic fungi like Atropellis piniphila and Cronartium harknessii, alongside ophiostomatoid fungi, induced distinct terpene chemistry changes, affecting tree susceptibility to MPB. Elevated O₃ hampered MPB reproduction and pheromone communication but induced transgenerational plasticity while elevated CO₂ accelerated MPB development. Climate chamber experiments demonstrated climate-induced changes in MPB reproduction, fungal growth, and immune responses, emphasizing the importance of understanding bark beetle-fungi-tree-climate dynamics for resilient forest ecosystems.