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Trees are a symbol of Christmas, and they also hold vital clues about climate change.
The Witness Tree Project, led by Prof. Jennifer McElwain at Trinity’s Botanic Garden, has recruited 21 trees to serve as sensors, tracking environmental changes over time. Leaves from these trees appear on the cover of this card.
Each tree tells a story - some of vulnerability, others of resilience. By studying physiological changes in the trees, researchers are able to identify species most likely to adapt best to future climate shifts
The project is funded by the philanthropic generosity of Dr Beate Schuler, and by Research Ireland.
Is comharthaí na Nollag iad crainn, agus tá leideanna ríthábhachtacha le fáil uathu freisin faoin athrú aeráide.
Tá Tionscadal na gCrann Finné, faoi stiúir an Ollaimh Jennifer McElwain i nGairdín Lusanna Choláiste na Tríonóide, tar éis 21 crann a chur ag feidhmiú mar bhraiteoirí, ag rianú athruithe comhshaoil le himeacht ama. Tá duilleoga ó na crainn seo le feiceáil ar chlúdach an chárta seo.
Insíonn gach crann scéal – scéalta faoin leochaileacht agus scéalta faoin teacht aniar. Trí staidéar a dhéanamh ar na hathruithe fiseolaíocha sna crainn, is féidir le taighdeoirí na speicis is mó a bheidh in ann dul in oiriúint níos fearr d’athruithe aeráide amach anseo a aithint.
Tá maoiniú á chur ar fáil don tionscadal seo trí fhlaithiúlacht dhaonchairdiúil an Dr Beate Schuler, agus trí Thaighde Éireann.