Glacial refuge areas are expected to harbor a large fraction of the intraspecific biodiversity of the temperate biota. To test this hypothesis, we studied chloroplast DNA variation in 22 widespread European trees and shrubs sampled in the same forests. Most species had genetically divergent populations in Mediterranean regions, especially those with low seed dispersal abilities. However, the genetically most diverse populations were not located in the south but at intermediate latitudes, a likely consequence of the admixture of divergent lineages colonizing the continent from separate refugia.

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Oligonucleotide primers were developed for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection of selected Phytophthora species which are known to cause root-rot diseases in European forest trees. The primer pair CITR1/CITR2, complementing both internal transcribed spacer regions of the ribosomal RNA genes, gave a 711 bp amplicon with Phytophthora citricola. The Phytophthora cambivora specific primer pair CAMB3/CAMB4, producing a 1105 bp amplicon, as well as the Phytophthora quercina specific primer pair QUERC1/QUERC2, producing a 842 bp amplicon, were derived from randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-fragments presented in this paper. All three primer pairs revealed no undesirable cross-reaction with a diverse test collection of isolates including other Phytophthora species, Pythium, Xerocomus, Hebeloma, Russula, and Armillaria. Under the PCR conditions described the detection of a well discernable amplicon was possible down to 100 pg (P. cambivora), 4 pg (P. quercina), and 2 pg (P. citricola) target DNA. This diagnostic PCR system was able to detect P. citricola, P. quercina, and P. cambivora in seedlings of pendunculate oak (Quercus robur) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) which were artificially infected under controlled conditions.

Climate change and air pollution are two of the anthropogenic stressors that require international collaboration. Influence mechanisms and combating strategies towards them have similarities to some extent. Impacts of air pollution and climate change have long been studied under IUFRO Research Group 7.01 and state of the art findings are presented at biannual meetings. Monitoring, modelling, assessment of multiple stressors, ecophysiology, and nutrient cycles have been thoroughly studied aspects of climate change and air pollution research for a long time under the umbrella of IUFRO RG 7.01. Recently, social and economic issues together with water relations are gaining more attention in parallel with science requirements on adaptation. In this paper, we summarise the main research needs emphasized at the recent 24th IUFRO RG 7.01 Conference titled “Adaptation of Forest Ecosystems to Air Pollution and Climate Change”. One important conclusion of the conference was the need for information on nutritional status of forest stands for sustainable forest management. It has been suggested to maintain long-term monitoring programs and to account for the effects of extreme years, and past and present management practices. Long-term monitoring can also help to understand the effects of forestry treatments on the nutrient and water budgets of the ecosystems which may enable to improve management practices like water saving silviculture