‘New hope’: ash trees rapidly evolving resistance to dieback, study reveals
by Damian Carrington Environment editor from on (#6Y8HC)
Subtle DNA changes in trees demonstrate Charles Darwin's natural selection - although human help may be needed
New generations of wild ash trees are rapidly evolving resistance to the fungus devastating their numbers, scientists have discovered.
The discovery gives hope, the researchers said, and shows that allowing the natural regeneration of woodlands is vital to enabling this evolution to take place. However, it remains too early to say if the development of resistance in the ash trees can outpace the destruction being caused by the ash dieback fungus.
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