Ponta, N. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2026

Gene-environment interactions govern early regeneration in fir and beech: evidence from participatory provenance trials across Europe

O_LIForest regeneration is shaped by strong demographic filters during germination and early establishment, yet the relative contributions of provenance and environment remain poorly resolved under natural conditions. C_LIO_LIWe combined climate-chamber trials with a continental-scale, field-based citizen science seed-sowing experiment to quantify germination, early phenological development, and three-year post-germination survival fir (Abies spp.) and beech (Fagus spp.) provenances across Europe. Using mixed-effects models and a state-based Markov framework to reconstruct phenological trajectories, we quantified successive demographic filters from seed to established seedling. C_LIO_LIGermination was structured by genotype-by-environment interactions (G x E) in both genera, but with contrasting expression: fir showed broadly parallel environmental responses among provenances and partial concordance between climate-chamber and field, whereas beech showed strong provenance-by-environment responses and weak predictability from controlled conditions. Seed weight was a key axis in beech (lighter seeds germinated more and developed faster), but confounded with geographic differentiation in fir. C_LIO_LIIn contrast to germination, post-establishment survival was dominated by site-level environmental filtering with limited consistent provenance effects, revealing a life-stage shift from fine-scale G x E during germination and early development to broader environmental control of survival--an important consideration for regeneration--based management and assisted migration. C_LI

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Harnessing foresters' engagement for climate change adaptation: the emerging tool of next-generation citizen science

Citizen science is an increasingly common approach for collecting large amounts of data across extensive spatial and temporal scales in ecology and environmental sciences. To facilitate participation, the majority of citizen science projects are based on opportunistic smartphone-based tasks that can be completed in just a few minutes. We reviewed 639 citizen science projects and coordinated distributed experiments, assessing the level of engagement expected from participants, and found that citizens can also perform highly engaging tasks, including conducting experiments, similar to those expected from collaborating scientists. We coined the term "next-generation citizen science" for experiments conducted by citizens with specialized knowledge and addressed the benefits and risks of such projects using the example of MyGardenOfTrees. This unprecedented continent-wide transplant experiment involves over 300 forester-citizens who dedicate their time and expertise to testing different seed origins in their forests over a five-year period, and co-develop a prediction tool with researchers for selecting suitable species and provenances for assisted migration. We used marketing analysis of recruitment data to identify strategies for participant recruitment and retention across the multi-cultural landscape of Europe, thereby expanding the boundaries of citizen science beyond its traditional use. Furthermore, we present the development of the experimental design and protocols aimed at optimizing logistical feasibility, scientific rigor, and social acceptance. Our findings highlight the untapped potential of such experimental citizen science approaches to increase the scale of ecological experiments and ultimately obtain generalizable findings, thereby overcoming context dependence.

evolutionary biology↗