Dear colleagues,

Biology Thursday seminar continues 27th March, 12:15, on site in room MA335, with

Prof. Johanna Witzell, Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Linnaeus University, Sweden:

“New approaches to conservation of threatened elms – mycobiome, resistance breeding and citizen engagement”

Elm trees (Ulmus spp.) face a severe threat from invasive pathogen Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, the causative agent of Dutch elm disease. This challenge calls for innovative conservation strategies integrating multiple disciplines. Recent research highlights the role of the elm mycobiome—its fungal microbiota—in disease resistance and tree health. Advances in resistance breeding are also providing promising avenues for developing resilient elm populations. Moreover, citizen engagement, including participatory monitoring, is increasingly recognized as a key component in conservation efforts. By combining mycobiome insights, selective breeding, and public involvement, these approaches offer a holistic strategy for safeguarding elm populations in changing environments. In this presentation, I review the status of elm research and conservation efforts in Sweden.