How future-proofing forests could create hybrid trees impervious to climate change

As climate change begins to take hold, researchers are looking at ways to 'future-proof' Victorian native forests. Key points: Ecologists are planting seedlings sourced from warmer parts of Australia to revegetate forests in Victoria It is hoped that the introduced natives will cross-pollinate with local species The program in Victoria is one of the largest applications of the technique, with similar trials underway in Tasmania Nine-thousand seedlings of grey and yellow box woodlands have been planted at Nardoo Hills in Central Victoria, where established trees are dying due to the rise in temperatures. A few years ago, Bush Heritage ecologists Matt Appleby and Garry McDonald noticed that some native yellow and grey box eucalypts at Nardoo Hills were dying. "The grey box and yellow box we are bringing in from places like Griffith, Deniliquin and Fifield, which have a much hotter, drier climate than Nardoo Hills," Dr Appleby said. Dr Appleby said trees like the yellow and grey box take 50 years to reach maturity, so it will be along time before they know if the Nardoo Hills trial has worked.