Genomic adaptation and resilience to climate change (GenARCC) project

Forests and tundra are essential spaces for people in Canada, providing ecosystem services, social and cultural benefits and economic value. These ecosystems clean the air and water, regulate and cool climate, and mitigate floods and soil erosion. They also provide critical habitat for many plants and animals and are a vital part of the Earth's carbon cycle. However, because of global climate change, the health and productivity of Canadian forests and tundra are declining.

Some impacts of climate change:

• Higher risk of drought and forest fire due to increased temperatures and unpredictable levels of precipitation
• Increased susceptibility to existing pests and pathogens as trees become physiologically stressed
• Introduction of novel threats as the distribution of species shifts
• Changes to ecosystem services, such as carbon storage, due to shifts in the biodiversity and function of microbiomes

GenARCC forest and tundra research activities investigate the complex and interconnected response of these ecosystems to climate change. Researchers are looking at individual species as well as the diversity of whole communities to develop a holistic understanding of adaptation and vulnerability to climate change and threats in these ecosystems. Researchers are combining genomic data with integrated ecological monitoring and machine learning to determine the adaptive capacity of key tree and wildlife species, along with their associated microbes. This information will help researchers predict how forest and tundra species will respond to climate change and improve climate-resilient management practices.

Across Canada, over 60 million hectares of land are used for primary agriculture, contributing to our economy,providing essentialresources and ensuring food security.

Some impacts of climate change:

• Physiological stress due to higher temperatures
• Increased invasive insects, plants and pathogens
• Declining populations of beneficial insects, such as pollinators
• Potential for new agricultural opportunities

GenARCC agro-ecosystem research activities are combining genomics, artificial intelligence and machine learning to address the complex impacts of climate change on these ecosystems. Researchers are studying species that are vital to the health and productivity of Canada's agricultural sector, including oilseed crops, bison, insects and invasive plants, as well as associated microbiomes and their roles. In addition, researchers are developing sensor technology for in-field analysis to provide real-time characterization of plant nutrients and traits. Together, these research activities will assess the genomic vulnerability and adaptive capacity of species central to Canada's agricultural sustainability and result in genomic tools to monitor the diversity, health and impacts of climate change on these species.

Canada has the longest coastline of any country and over 2 million lakes and rivers, making aquatic and coastal ecosystems essential for Canada's biodiversity, economy and cultural identity.

Some impacts of climate change:

• Physiological stress due to changing environmental conditions, such as higher temperatures and increased ocean acidity
• Competitive interactions and the spread of pathogens as the distribution of species shifts
• Altered food webs due to changes in species diversity and abundance

GenARCC aquatic and coastal research activities are using genomics with machine learning and climate modelling to address the complex impacts of climate change on both aquatic and terrestrial species in these ecosystems. Researchers are assessing the genomic diversity and adaptive capacity of fish and wildlife species important to Indigenous communities and to Canada's fisheries. They are also developing genomic tools to monitor the diversity and health of salmonid species in freshwater ecosystems to look at how food webs are being affected by climate change. Research activities include using modelling approaches to evaluate potential climate-related threats from emerging pathogens such as viruses, parasites and bacteria, with an emphasis on both human and wildlife health. Understanding the vulnerability and adaptive potential of aquatic and coastal species is an important first step in developing effective strategies to ensure the conservation of biodiversity in the face of climate change.

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