We are interested in joining a transnational consortium under Topic 1 (or Topic 2) as a forest genetics partner, contributing expertise on drought adaptation and the science-based use of climate-adapted forest reproductive material (FRM). We were partners in the Biodiversa+ BiodivClim project ACORN (2021–2024; partners from Austria, Germany, Greece, Switzerland and Türkiye), which investigated species identification, genetic diversity and drought adaptation in Quercus robur, Q. petraea and Q. pubescens across Central Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, and developed an assisted gene flow concept under climate change. I lead the Molecular Collection Team at the National Botanic Garden of Türkiye and have recently returned from a genomics postdoc at the Senckenberg Research Institute, Germany. I have led many national and international projects and have expertise in nature-based solutions, gained within the BiodivClim programme. Our research spans genetics, genomics, conservation, climate change and evolutionary biology, with a focus on forest biodiversity.

What we can offer:
• Established field trial site and common-garden facility for climate change studies, available for new experiments and long-term assessment of drought- and heat-related traits
• Sampling capacity across Türkiye, covering a wide range of climatic and ecological gradients; Türkiye's forests are a natural analogue for future climate conditions in Central Europe and a potential source of drought-adapted seed material. As a ministry institution, we can efficiently obtain collection permits, and the related legal procedures (e.g. sampling permits and material transfer) can be managed within the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
• Laboratory facilities for barcoding, SSR (microsatellite) genotyping and genomic short-read sequencing data analysis
• Extensive experience in seed transfer, seed sourcing and FRM, including assisted gene flow / assisted migration concepts
• Policy-related expertise: as a ministry-affiliated institution, experience in translating research results into FRM and seed-transfer guidelines, and in working with forest authorities, nurseries and other stakeholders

We are open to extending our work to a wide range of tree species and regions. We can host field activities, sampling campaigns and project meetings (including field visits to our trial sites) for consortium partners. The Turkish participation is funded by TÜBİTAK, which takes part in this call.

Best,

Contact: Dr. Pelin Acar (pelin.acar@tarimorman.gov.tr; pelin.acar@senckenberg.de)

The National Botanical Garden of Türkiye is a research institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, operating under the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM), and located in Ankara. Its mission is the conservation, research and sustainable use of Türkiye's rich plant diversity, including its forest tree genetic resources.

The institute maintains living plant/anatomy/hermarium/seed/tissue/DNA collections, arboretum, field trial sites and a common-garden facility for climate change research, together with laboratories for molecular genetic/genomic analyses. Its research focuses on plant and forest genetics, adaptation to climate change, seed sourcing and conservation of genetic resources.

As a ministry institution, the National Botanical Garden of Türkiye contributes to national policies and guidelines on plant genetic resources and forest reproductive material, and works closely with forest authorities, research institutes, universities and nurseries. It has experience in international research cooperation, including the Biodiversa+ project ACORN.