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Christian Rellstab

@christian-rellstab.bsky.social
904 followers 165 following 36 posts

Landscape genomics, population genetics, and hybridization of alpine plants and forest trees. www.wsl.ch/de/mitarbeitende/rellstab

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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Paper alert! This perspective written by a core team of the Alpine Forest Genomics Network (AForGeN, aforgen.org) discusses recent advances and future perspectives of the research field using a bibliometric analysis and a member survey. With @nielsmuller.bsky.social
link.springer.com
Alpine forest genomics—advances in the research field and perspectives ahead - Annals of Forest Science
Key message Alpine or mountainous forest genomics research is rapidly moving from classic population genetic studies toward exploring population environmental adaptation to address climate vulnerabili...
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Debbie Leigh @debbiemleigh.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... New preprint! This is all from #ACORN and my time working with @christian-rellstab.bsky.social 🧪🧪
biorxiv.org
Adaptive variation in drought-related traits across southern and central European white oak (Quercus sect. Quercus) populations
European white oaks grow from the Mediterranean coast to Southern Scandinavia, a huge environmental gradient that has likely fostered environmental adaptation. In the face of climate change, leveragin...
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
The 8th edition of the ETH/Evoltree block course "Genomics of environmental adaptation" will take place end of January 2027. Happy to receive your application!
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Joachim Mergeay @jmergeay.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Taxonomy is the art of trying to fit continuous variation into discrete categories, so it can help us communicate more effectively about the world surrounding us. Imagine the explosion of species if we used the same approach for, say, water fleas 🫣
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Our latest publication presents OptGERM, a database with various traits from very early life stages of several tree species. A product of the @optforests.bsky.social project.
link.springer.com
OptGERM: a comprehensive database of within and among species germination and early seedling development for six European tree species - Annals of Forest Science
Key message This dataset reports translocation experiments on 15,774 seeds from 43 populations of Abies alba Mill., Acer pseudoplatanus L., Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., Quercus ...
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WSL Umweltforschung @wslresearch.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
On 21 May 2026, the ETH Board appointed climate researcher Nadine Salzmann and forest ecologist Arthur Gessler to the WSL Directorate. Congratulations! www.wsl.ch/en/news/two-... #forest #climate #cryosphere #forest #forestecology
wsl.ch
Two new members join the WSL Directorate
The ETH Board has appointed climate researcher Nadine Salzmann and forest ecologist Arthur Gessler to the WSL Directorate.
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Thank you @rbuggs.bsky.social for the invitation and organization! with @nielsmuller.bsky.social @jillahamilton.bsky.social @pyhatanja.bsky.social @sallyaitken.bsky.social @scavers.bsky.social @tombooker.bsky.social
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Very proud to be part of the "Tree Evolution Colloquium" at the Cumberland Lodge in Great Windsor Park, England. For three days, we discussed whether evolutionary rates in trees are underestimated or not.
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
the field season of our brand new project TreeGD hast started! this year, we will sample European beech, downy oak and wild service tree. for more information, visit treegd.wsl.ch/en/ with @domcoqetc.bsky.social
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
"Their high stature makes the world smaller for them." I am reading this for the third time in my life and it confirms to be my most influential paper. So beautifully written and full of facts and thoughts why we love trees so much as evolutionary biologists.
annualreviews.org
Some Evolutionary Consequences of Being a Tree
Abstract Trees do not form a natural group but share attributes such as great size, longevity, and high reproductive output that affect their mode and tempo of evolution. In particular, trees are uniq...
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Katrin Heer @katrinheer.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Application deadline on Monday! PhD position @uni-freiburg.de in the @ecosense-sfb-1537.bsky.social project
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EvolTree @evoltree.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
📣 New EVOLTREE webinar! 🗓️ 8th April 16:00 CET Prof Rasmus Nielsen will talk on "Mapping adaptive genetic variation in non-model species" Link: vcresearch.berkeley.edu/faculty/rasm... Save the date and visit www.evoltree.eu/webinars in a few days for registration and additional information.
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
together with @domcoqetc.bsky.social, i am looking for two interns for field work in our new TreeGD project. please see here for more details: apply.refline.ch/273855/1846/...
apply.refline.ch
Praktikant/in für Feldaufnahmen (w/m/d)
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WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center @wslbiodiversity.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
The Ecological Genetics group at @wslresearch.bsky.social is looking for a 2-month intern to support an upcoming field survey. A great opportunity for hands-on research experience. More info: apply.refline.ch/273855/1846/... @christian-rellstab.bsky.social
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Katrin Heer @katrinheer.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Postdoctoral position in Forest Genetics at @uni-freiburg.de with a focus on local adaptation and/or stress reaction of trees. The position combines research and teaching (4 SWS), and offers the opportunity to develop an independent research profile (4+ years).
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Eawag Aquatic Research @eawag.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
🌿❤️🐟@wslresearch.bsky.social and #Eawag are strengthening their long-standing collaboration with the new WSL–Eawag Biodiversity Center. The Center connects researchers, creates synergies and boosts the visibility and impact of biodiversity research in science and practice.
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Teaching is fun! The ETH @evoltree.bsky.social block course "Genomics of Environmental Adapation" at @wslresearch.bsky.social is in full action now.
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WSL Umweltforschung @wslresearch.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
#PostDoc Alert! PhD in #Biologie, #Forstwissenschaften oder #Umweltnaturwissenschaften🌲? Gute Kenntnisse in Evolutionsbiologie und sehr kompetent in #Populationsgenetik und #Landschaftsgenomik🧬? Wir bieten eine #PostDoc Stelle in ökologischer Genomik: apply.refline.ch/273855/1782/... #ScienceJobs
Stellenanzeige: Die Forschungseinheit Biodiversität und Naturschutzbiologie untersucht die Vielfalt des Lebens, von der genetischen Diversität bis zur Arten- und Lebensraumvielfalt sowie ihre Interaktionen. Das für mehr als vier Jahre und vom BAFU finanzierte Projekt TreeGD untersucht die genetische Vielfalt und das Anpassungspotenzial von Haupt- und Nebenbaumarten in Schweizer Generhaltungsgebieten, inklusive ihres Saatgutes. Für dieses Projekt sucht die Gruppe Ökologische Genetik per 1. Januar 2026 oder nach Vereinbarung befristet für 2 Jahre (mit Option auf Verlängerung), eine/-n motivierte/-n
Postdoktorand/-in in ökologischer Genomik 80% (w/m/d)
Sie planen und unterstützen die Beprobung von Baummaterial für die DNA-Extraktion und koordinieren die Laborarbeit. Sie werten die genomweiten Sequenzdaten von je 500 Bäumen von fünf Baumarten aus und berechnen Indikatoren wie genetische Vielfalt, Differenzierung und potenzielle Angepasstheit. Daraus leiten Sie praktische Empfehlung für Schweizer Generhaltungsgebiete und die Saatgutgewinnung ab. In Zusammenarbeit mit den Projektpartner/-innen publizieren Sie die Ergebnisse in wissenschaftlichen und umsetzungsorientierten Zeitschriften und präsentieren die Erkenntnisse an Veranstaltungen mit der Forstpraxis und an inter-/nationalen wissenschaftlichen Fachtagungen.
Sie verfügen über ein Doktorat in Biologie, Forst- oder Umweltnaturwissenschaften und gute Kenntnisse in ökologischer Genetik sowie Evolutionsbiologie, falls möglich bei Waldbäumen. Sie sind vertraut mit genomweiten Analysen auf Hochleistungsrechnern und sehr kompetent in Populationsgenetik und Landschaftsgenomik. Sie schreiben und sprechen fliessend in mindestens einer Schweizer Landessprache sowie Englisch. Sie besitzen einen Führerausweis Kat. B und arbeiten gerne im Freien, auch unter schwierigen Bedingungen. Sie sind teamfähig und kommunikativ, und Sie arbeiten strukturiert und selbstständig.
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EvolTree @evoltree.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Second Day starts with an amazing keynote talk on genetic adaptation and phenotypic plasticity by Silvia Matesanz from URJC. Great talk Silvia! #EVOLTREE
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Jill Hamilton @jillahamilton.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
So happy to be with European colleagues in Madrid for #EvolTREE to share new ideas, technologies, and applications of forest genetics to conservation, restoration, breeding, and much, much more
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EvolTree @evoltree.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
David O'Brien opens the first session ("New Tools for Science to Reach Practice") of the Joint EVOLTREE-FORGENIUS conference with an entertaining talk on how to communicate to politicians, practitioners and the public.
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EvolTree @evoltree.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Delphine Grivet from the host organisation INIA-CSIC opens the Joint EVOLTREE- FORGENIUS Conference in Madrid! About 200 researchers, including many early-career scientists in the room.
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EvolTree @evoltree.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
The EVOLTREE-FORGENIUS Joint Conference starts tomorrow in Madrid, so much excitement in the air! It is already our 3rd Conference and we continue growing. Thanks for supporting #EVOLTREE
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
i am offering a post-doc position in my brand-new project TreeGD that will investigate genomic diversity of trees species in switzerland, with a special focus on gene conservation units, rare species (but not only), and seeds stands. apply.refline.ch/273855/1782/...
apply.refline.ch
Postdoktorand/-in in ökologischer Genomik 80% (w/m/d)
Die Forschungseinheit Biodiversität und Naturschutzbiologie untersucht die Vielfalt des Lebens, von der genetischen Diversität bis zur Arten- und Lebensraumvielfalt sowie ihre Interaktionen. Das für m...
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Siri Birkeland @siribirkeland.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
In memory of Richard Abbott 🌱❄ 35 years of Arctic plant phylogeography - glacial refugia, trans-oceanic dispersals, and the genomic evidence revealing their hidden histories. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
Phylogeography of Arctic plants: where are we after 35 years, and where to go?
The Arctic provides an excellent system to study climate change effects on geographic ranges and genetic diversity. We re-examine the large number of phylogeographic studies of Arctic plants to ass...
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
congrats! a must-read.
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Siri Birkeland @siribirkeland.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Tree evolution is surprisingly quirky! 🌳 Trees are likely ancestral in many plant groups, often re-evolve on islands, and Arabidopsis can be made tree-like by tweaking a few genes. We revisited what genes really make a tree a tree using comparative genomics. @trhvidsten.bsky.social #trees #evolution
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
exciting times ahead. the permanent exhibition "breaking the code" about genetic research at @wslresearch.bsky.social is opening soon! with apprentices from ETH, we developed a computer game to assign white oak species (and their hybrids) based on leaf morphology and genetic markers. stay tuned!
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
i can't answer you this question. this depends on local environmental conditions and management history. but our results suggest that oak might be able to react to climate change, whereas we have some doubts for beech.
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Brand new! Analyzing tree rings in common garden experiments in oak and beech, we show that phenotypic plasticity drives trait variation in both species. However, oak shows, in contrast to beech, also signs of adaptation and genetically-based plasticity. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
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International Union of Forest Research Organizations - IUFRO @iufro.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
🚨Join in when IUFRO Working Party 2.02.05 kicks off their brand-new Webinar Series: 🌲Integrating Pollen-Based Assisted Migration and Rolling- Front Landscape Breeding for Forest Adaptation under Climate Change🌳 🗓️Thursday, 25 September 2025 🕕18:00-19:00 CEST 🔗 bit.ly/46cVXaW #ForestScience
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EvolTree @evoltree.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
You have a good research idea in the field of evolutionary genetics and genomics of forest trees, but lack funding to carry it out? Leap into action with the network's research initiative, OPPORTUNITY! The new call has been launched, deadline is 16.11.2025. More information here:
evoltree.eu
Opportunity Calls
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Mapping forest stakeholders across Europe highlights conflicts and cooperation in conserving genetic diversity, managing reproductive material, and protecting forests under varying governance frameworks. Very proud to be part of this beautiful @optforests.bsky.social paper.
sciencedirect.com
Participatory mapping of the forest community stakeholders in Europe focusing on forest genetic resources, forest reproductive material, and protected forests
The genetic diversity of forest trees, as provided by Forest Genetic Resources (FGR) and being the basis for the production of Forest Reproductive Mat…
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Dorota Paczesniak @dorotdesigns.bsky.social · 28/06/2025
#SciArt #Artshare I’m a scientific illustrator with genetics and evolution background open to commissions of infographics, illustrations, scientific figures, …
A fragment of an infographic about genetic markers, showing a close-up of a plant cell with nucleus, mitochondria and chloroplasts. A DNA strand is unraveling from a chromosome A vector drawing of Siberian larch (Larix archangelica, syn. Larix sibirica) tree silhouette and branch fragment with seed conesA large infographic entitled „Genetic variation in improved forests” with sections about tree breeding in Finland, propagation (seed orchards and vegetative propagation) and forest regeneration. Made in collaboration with the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) and the University of Helsinki
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EvolTree @evoltree.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
Joint EVOLTREE-FORGENIUS Conference 2025 Call for Abstracts is now open! Deadline 30 June 2025 We invite submissions on evolutionary ecology, genomics, and adaptation in trees and associated organisms. For more information: www.evoltree.eu/conferences/...
evoltree.eu
Joint EVOLTREE-FORGENIUS Conference / Third Biannual EVOLTREE Conference
18-25 November 2025, Madrid, Spain
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Find here my announcement for a 2-year post-doc position in ecological genomics of white oaks in the framework of the Horizon project OptFORESTS. I am looking for somebody with strong skills in bioinformatics, landscape genomics, forest genomics, GWAS, and population genetic simulations.
apply.refline.ch
Post-Doc in Ecological Genomics 80-100% (f/m/d)
The Research Unit Biodiversity and Conservation Biology studies the diversity of life in its various forms, from genetic diversity to the diversity of species and ecosystems as well as their interacti...
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EvolTree @evoltree.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
We are pleased to invite you to the upcoming EvolTree-FORGENIUS Joint Conference "Integrative Diversity of Forest Ecosystems" , which will take place in Madrid, Spain, from 18 to 21 November 2025. You can find all information and the registration here: www.evoltree.eu/conferences/...
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Do you want to learn about methods for detecting genes involved in local adaptation and for predicting maladaptation to future climate? There are still a few slots left in SSMPG2025 course in the French Alps. Very proud to be part of such a great team of teachers. ssmpg2025.sciencesconf.org
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Notre guide pratique (WSL Bericht) sur «l'utilisation optimale du matériel forestier de reproduction des espèces de chênes indigènes» est aintenant disponible en français: @wslresearch.bsky.social
wsl.ch
Utilisation optimale du matériel forestier de reproduction des espèces de chênes indigènes
La diversité génétique est essentielle pour l'adaptation des populations d'arbres. Un catalogue de questions aide à utiliser de manière optimale le matériel forestier de reproduction. Les aspects écol...
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
Four outreach publications in one day... Only possible in Switzerland. Check our chapter on genetic diversity in the latest Swiss Forest Report www.bafu.admin.ch/bafu/en/home...
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
i guess they are... here we looked at natural, but managed populations.
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
out now! instructions for practice on the optimal use of forest genetic resources in white oak species native to switzerland. a @wslresearch.bsky.social product, available only in german (french version in preparation). www.wsl.ch/en/publicati...
wsl.ch
Optimale Nutzung von forstlichem Vermehrungsgut der einheimischen Eichenarten
Genetische Vielfalt ist essenziell für die Anpassung von Baumpopulationen. Ein Fragenkatalog hilft, forstliches Vermehrungsgut optimal zu nutzen. Ökologische, organisatorische und produktionstechnisch...
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Evolutionary Applications @evolappjournal.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Soil properties – water availability and pH – are strongly associated to the spatial distribution of two hybridizing and sympatric oak species (Quercus spp) at local stand scale. w/@felix-zimmermann.bsky.social, @christian-rellstab.bsky.social doi.org/10.1111/eva.70076
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
new paper in @evolappjournal.bsky.social with @felix-zimmermann.bsky.social ! Soil properties – water availability and pH – are strongly associated to the spatial distribution of two hybridizing and sympatric oak species (Quercus spp) at local stand scale. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
The ETH/ @evoltree.bsky.social block course "Genomics of Environmental Adaptation" at @wslresearch.bsky.social successfully ended on Friday afternoon. Thanks to everybody who made it possible!
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
of course it should say „adaptation“…
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
Detecting genomic signatures of environmental adaption, an ETH/ @evoltree.bsky.social block course, running now with full intensity at @wslresearch.bsky.social. Great students, motivated instructors, and hot computers.
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
Praxis-Empfehlungen: Wie sammle ich Eicheln, damit die genetische Vielalt des Saatguts möglichst hoch ist? Resultate aus dem @wslresearch.bsky.social SeedOpt Projekt. Anwendbar auf viele andere Hauptbaumarten. Jetzt auf @waldwissen.bsky.social www.waldwissen.net/de/waldwirts...
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
Now online! Our perspective on the genomic offset simulation paper of @brandonlind.bsky.social and @drk-lo.bsky.social. In short: Genomic offset can predict fitness under changed environments, but performance is reduced under highly novel environments. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
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Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
Now online! In this study led by Jil Pütz and Simon Jansen, we studied the population structure and introgression of Quercus pubescens at its northern range. We found two major genetic clusters and more introgression in wetter, north-exposed, and more western sites. academic.oup.com/aob/advance-...
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