Enhancing Tropical Forest Resilience and Production through Tree Breeding Technology

Tropical forests play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change, conserving biodiversity, and supporting local livelihoods. However, these invaluable ecosystems are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events and shifting environmental conditions. To address these challenges, our research focuses on improving the resilience of tropical forest tree species utilized for timber production. In this symposium, I would like to discuss our innovative approach that utilizes tropical forest genetic resources, physiological trait evaluation, and genomic selection technology to identify and propagate individuals with enhanced resilience to climate change and economic values. Traits encompass various factors, including drought tolerance, growth rate, timber quality, and adaptability to climate change. Genomic selection represents a revolutionary contribution to tree breeding. Conventional tree breeding methods necessitate lengthy evaluation periods, waiting for the growth of progenies to assess their phenotype for focal traits. In contrast, genomic selection allows us to evaluate the phenotype of seedlings in the early stages of the progeny, significantly accelerating the breeding cycle. This speedier approach not only increases the efficiency of breeding programs but also reduces resource requirements and expedites the development of resilient tree populations in tropical forests. Ultimately, this research contributes to the broader discussion on tropical forest conservation, climate change mitigation, and sustainable resource management. By combining conventional tree breeding techniques with genomic technology, we strive to enhance the resilience of tropical forest species, contributing to global ecological stability and livelihood improvement.