Last summer, Anchalya, Olivia, and Maria took on a bold challenge in the UTM research greenhouse—simulating drier climates to test the resilience of white spruce and white pine, two vital conifer species. Their mission? To uncover how these trees defend themselves against climate stress using sustained non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), a powerful photo-protective mechanism.
By exposing seedlings to controlled drought conditions, they tracked critical physiological and molecular responses, diving deep into:
Carbon assimilation and water-use efficiency
Photoprotection and energy dissipation strategies
Xanthophyll pigment dynamics
Leaf and canopy spectral reflectance patterns
But they didn’t stop there! Their research also compared NPQ’s role in drought with its function in low-temperature acclimation, shedding light on how conifers adapt to extreme conditions.
This groundbreaking study paves the way for smarter conservation strategies and a deeper understanding of how forests will weather the challenges of climate change.
