From November 7-10, 2023, Kateryna Davydenko visited the Lithuanian Research Center for Agriculture and Forestry (Kaunas, Girionys), where she participated in two events:
1. Work at the discussion platform of the European HORIZON program regarding the management of gene pool conservation networks in conditions of mass outbreaks of pathogens and pests, particularly ash dieback.
2. International seminar "Forest tree breeding, conservation, and use of forest genetic resources."
During the discussion platform, participants heard and discussed two reports: "Pan-European forest monitoring and development of a joint strategy for ash conservation" (Dr. Rita Verbylaite, Lithuania) and "Search for molecular markers of ash resistance to pathogens and pests, particularly ash dieback and emerald ash borer" (Dr. Kateryna Davydenko, Ukraine).
The international seminar focused on discussing approaches to analyzing European forest genetic resources and issues of their conservation as an important component of increasing forest productivity and adapting forest stands to global climate change. The seminar was attended by 27 specialists from 12 European countries (Sweden, Finland, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, etc.).
Kateryna Davydenko (Ukrainian Research Institute of Forestry and Forest Melioration, Ukraine) presented data on the current Ukrainian-Latvian project "Risk-oriented strategy for preparation for monitoring and biological control of emerald ash borer." One section of the project is aimed at finding and mapping ash trees that are resistant to invasive pests and pathogens, which will allow obtaining genetic material for ash conservation in Europe.
