Abstract
Adaptation and acclimation are strategies that forests enact to cope with climate change. They consist of genotypic and phenotypic adjustments that allow plants to grow and reproduce successfully in a stressful environment. Both these aspects can be actively promoted by reforestation programmes. The key phases are: (1) selection of the most suitable provenances and genotypes; (2) adoption of adequate cultural techniques in nursery; and (3) monitoring of the plantations. Physiological techniques may be useful to assist all the phases of this process. Among these, chlorophyll fluorescence-based techniques, such as the JIP test, are relevant to monitor the stress conditions and the effectiveness of the cultural practices. JIP test is a non-destructive, non-invasive, informative, very fast and inexpensive technique, and can be used to support the cultural decision.
Acknowledgement
This paper represents a reconsideration of different past experiences. The authors are grateful to Prof. Reto Strasser for having introduced themselves to the DIP-test mysteries.