Ensminger, Ingo

Full Research Description:
Dr. Ingo Ensminger at the University of Toronto is studying the genetic and physiologic mechanisms underlying adaptation and acclimation of conifers such as pine, fir and spruce trees to climate change – and how innovative forest management strategies can help. The plant physiologist’s research is of great interest to Ontario’s forestry sector.

The interdisciplinary research in Ensminger's lab is focussing on the molecular, cellular and physiological mechanisms underlying adaptation and acclimation of plants to their environment. Particular interest is in the mechanisms by which environmental change impacts trees and forests from molecular to species and ecosystem level. The understanding of these mechanisms is not simply of scientific interest. It addresses some of the fundamental questions in global change research and is indispensable to justify of how plants will respond to climate change. Changes in growth and productivity of forest ecosystems will directly affect e.g. their economic value, their ability to sequester carbon as well as sustainable management practice or biofuel production.