Dr. Christian Rellstab

ISI Publications

Web of Science //  Google Scholar  //  ResearchGate

• Reutimann, Dauphin, Baltensweiler, Gugerli, Kremer & Rellstab, accepted: Abiotic factors predict taxonomic composition and genetic admixture in populations of hybridizing white oak species (Quercus spp.) at regional scale. Tree Genetics & Genomes.

• Dauphin, Rellstab, Wüest, Karger, Holderegger, Manel & Gugerli, 2023: Re-thinking the environment in landscape genomics. Invited review. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 38:3. DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.10.010

• Kersten, Rellstab, Schröder, Brodbeck, Fladung, Kritovsky & Gugerli, 2022: The mitochondrial genome sequence of Abies alba Mill. reveals a high structural and combinatorial variation. BMC Genomics 23:776. DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08993-9

• Fonti, Rellstab & Martínez-Sancho, 2022:Deciphering “time to hydraulic failure” to select drought-resistant tree provenances. Invited commentary. Tree Physiology 42: 704-707. DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpac010

• Neophytou, Heer, Milesi, Peter, Pyhäjärvi, Westergren, Rellstab* & Gugerli*, 2022: Genomics and adaptation in forest ecosystems. Meeting review. Tree Genetics & Genomes 18: 12. DOI:10.1007/s11295-022-01542-1 (*shared last authorship)
• Opgenoorth & Rellstab, 2021: Tackling the challenges of evolutionary forest research with multi-data approaches. Invited News and Views article. Molecular Ecology 30: 3893–3895. DOI: 10.1111/mec.16031
• Rellstab, Dauphin & Exposito-Alonso, 2021: Prospects and limitations of genomic offset in conservation management. Invited perspective. Evolutionary Applications 14: 1202-1212. DOI: 10.1111/eva.13205
• Martínez-Sancho, Rellstab, Guillaume, Bigler, Fonti, Wohlgemuth, & Vitasse, 2021: Post-glacial re-colonization and natural selection have shaped growth responses of silver fir across Europe. Science of the Total Environment 779: 146393. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146393
• Opgenoorth, Dauphin, Benavides, Heer, Alizoti, Martínez-Sancho, Alía, Ambrosio, Audrey, Auñón, Avanzi, Avramidou, Bagnoli, Barbas, Bastias, Bastien, Ballesteros, Beffa, Bernier, Bignalet, Bodineau, Bouic, Brodbeck, Brunetto, Buchovska, Buy, Cabanillas-Saldaña, Carvalho, Cheval, Climent, Correard, Cremer, Danusevičius, Del Caño, Denou, di Gerardi, Dokhelar, Ducousso, Alexis, Eskild Nilsen, Farsakoglou, Fonti, Ganopoulos, García del Barrio, Gilg, Gonzalez-Martinez, Graf, Gray, Grivet, Gugerli, Hartleitner, Hollenbach, Hurel, Issehut, Jean, Jorge, Jouineau, Kappner, Kärkkäinen, Kesälahti, Knutzen, Kujala, Kumpula, Labriola, Lalanne, Lambertz, Lascoux, Lejeune, Le-Provost, Levillain, Liesebach, López-Quiroga, Meier, Malliarou, Marchon, Mariotte, Mas, Matesanz, Meischner, Michotey, Milesi, Morganti, Nievergelt, Notivol, Ostreng, Pakull, Perry, Piotti, Plomion, Poinot, Pringarbe, Puzos, Pyhäjärvi, Raffin, Ramírez-Valiente, Rellstab, Remi, Richter, Robledo-Arnuncio, San Segundo, Savolainen, Schneck, Scotti, Semerikov, Slámová, Sønstebø, Spanu, Thevenet, Tollefsrud, Turion, Vendramin, Villar, Von Arx, Westin, Fady, Myking, Valladares, Aravanopoulos & Cavers, 2021: The GenTree Platform: growth traits and tree-level environmental data in twelve European forest tree species. GigaScience 10: giab010. DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giab010
• Dauphin, Rellstab, Schmid, Zoller, Karger, Brodbeck, Guillaume & Gugerli, 2021: Genomic vulnerability to rapid climate warming in a tree species with long generation time, 2021. Global Change Biology 27: 1181-1195. DOI:10.1111/gcb.15469
• Benavides, Carvalho, Bastias, López-Quiroga, Mas, Cavers, Gray, Albet, Alía, Ambrosio, Aravanopoulos, Auñón, Avanzi, Avramidou, Bagnoli, Ballesteros, Barbas, Bastien, Bernier, Bignalet, Bouic, Brunetto, Buchovska, Cabanillas- Saldaña, Cheval, Climent, Correard, Cremer, Danusevičius, Dauphin, Del Caño, Denou, Dokhelar, Dourthe, Farsakoglou, Feras, Fonti, Ganopoulos, García del Barrio, Gilg, Gonzalez-Martinez, Graf, Grivet, Gugerli, Hartleitner, Heer, Hollenbach, Hurel, Issehuth, Jean, Jorge, Jouineau, Kappner, Kärkkäinen, Kesälahti, Knutzen, Kujala, Kumpula, Labriola, Lalanne, Lambertz, Lascoux, Le Provost, Liesebach, Malliarou, Marchon, Mariotte, Martínez-Sancho, Matesanz, Meischner, Michotey, Milesi, Morganti, Myking, Nilsen, Notivol, Opgenoorth, Østreng, Pakull, Piotti, Plomion, Poinot, Pringarbe, Puzos, Pyhäjärvi, Raffin, Ramírez-Valiente, Rellstab, Richter, Robledo- Arnuncio, San Segundo, Savolainen, Schneck, Schueler, Scotti, Semerikov, Sønstebø, Spanu, Thevenet, Tollefsrud, Turion, Vendramin, Villar, Westin, Fady & Valladares, 2021: The GenTree Leaf Collection: inter- and intraspecific leaf variation in seven forest tree species in Europe. Global Ecology and Biogeography 30: 590-597. DOI:10.1111/geb.13239
• Rellstab, 2021: Genomics helps to predict maladaptation to climate change. Invited News and Views article. Nature Climate Change 11: 85-86. DOI:10.1038/s41558-020-00964-w
• Rellstab, Zoller, Sailer, Tedder, Gugerli, Shimizu, Holderegger, Widmer & Fischer, 2020: Genomic signatures of convergent adaptation to Alpine environments in three Brassicaceae species. Molecular Ecology 29: 4350-4365. DOI: 10.1111/mec.15648

• Fady, Aravanopoulos, Benavides, González-Martínez, Grivet, Lascoux, Lindner, Rellstab, Valladares & Vinceti, 2020: Genetics to the rescue: managing forests sustainably in a changing world. Tree Genetics & Genomes 16: 80. DOI: 10.1007/s11295-020-01474-8

• Holderegger, Schmidt, Grünig, Meier, Csencsics, Gassner, Rellstab & Stapfer, 2020: Ready-to-use workflows for the implementation of genetic tools in conservation management. Conservation Genetics Resources 12: 691-700. DOI: 10.1007/s12686-020-01165-5

• Dauphin, Wüest, Brodbeck, Zoller, Fischer, Holderegger, Gugerli & Rellstab, 2020: Disentangling the effects of geographic peripherality and habitat suitability on neutral and adaptive genetic variation in Swiss stone pine. Molecular Ecology29: 1972-1989. DOI: 10.1111/mec.15467
• Bose, Moser, Rigling, Lehman, Milcu, Peter, Rellstab, Wohlgemuth & Gessler, 2020: Memory of environmental conditions across generations affects the acclimation potential of Scots pine. Plant, Cell & Environment 43: 1288-1299. DOI: 10.1111/pce.13729
• Reutimann, Gugerli & Rellstab, 2020: A species-discriminatory SNP set reveals maintenance of species integrity in hybridizing European white oaks (Quercus spp.) despite high levels of admixture. Annals of Botany 125: 663-676. DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcaa001

• Waldvogel, Feldmeyer, Rolshausen, Exposito-Alonso, Rellstab, Kofler, Mock, Schmid, Schmitt, Bataillon, Savolainen, Bergland, Flatt, Guillaume & Pfenninger, 2020: Evolutionary genomics can improve prediction of species responses to climate change. Evolution Letters 4:4-18. DOI: 10.1002/evl3.154

• Martínez-Sancho, Mateju, Morganti, Grefen, Carvalho, Dauphin, Rellstab, Gugerli, Opgenoorth, Heer, Knutzen, von Arx, Valladares, Cavers, Fady, Alía, Aravanopoulos, Avanzi, Bagnoli, Barbas, Bastien, Benavides, Bernier, Bodineau, Bastias, Charpentier, Climent, Corréard, Courdier, Danusevicius, Farsakoglou, García del Barrio, Gilg, González-Martínez, Gray, Hartleitner, Hurel, Jouineau, Kärkkäinen, Kujala, Labriola, Lascoux, Lefebvre, Lejeune, Le-Provost, Liesebach, Malliarou, Mariotte, Matesanz, Michotey, Milesi, Myking, Notivol, Pakull, Piotti, Plomion, Pringarbe, Pyhäjärvi, Raffin, Ramírez-Valiente, Ramskogler, Robledo-Arnuncio, Savolainen, Schueler, Semerikov, Spanu, Thévenet, Tollefsrud, Turion, Veisse, Vendramin, Villar, Westin & Fonti, 2020: The GenTree Dendroecological Collection: tree-ring and wood density data from seven tree species across Europe. Scientific Data 7: 1. DOI: 10.1038/s41597-019-0340-y
• Mosca, Cruz, Gómez Garrido, Bianco, Rellstab, Brodbeck, Csilléry, Fady, Fladung, Fussi, Gömöry, González-Martínez, Grivet, Hansen, Heer, Kaya, Krutovsky, Kersten, Liepelt, Opgenoorth, Sperisen, Ullrich, Vendramin, Westergren, Ziegenhagen, Alioto, Gugerli, Heinze, Höhn, Troggio & Neale, 2019: A reference genome sequence for the European silver fir (Abies alba Mill.): a community-generated genomic resource. G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics 9: 2039-2049. DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400083
• Rellstab, Dauphin, Zoller, Brodbeck & Gugerli (2019): Using transcriptome sequencing and pooled exome capture to study local adaptation in the giga-genome of Pinus cembra. Molecular Ecology Resources 8: 536-551. DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.12986
• Sailer, Babst-Kostecka, Fischer, Zoller, Widmer, Vollenweider, Gugerli & Rellstab, 2018: Transmembrane transport and stress response genes play an important role in adaptation of Arabidopsis halleri to metalliferous soils. Scientific Reports 8, 16085. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33938-2
• Csilléry, Rodríguez-Verdugo, Rellstab & Guillaume, 2018. Detecting the genomic signal of polygenic adaptation and the role of epistasis in evolution. Meeting Review. Molecular Ecology 27: 606-612. DOI: 10.1111/mec.1449
• Tsykun, Rellstab, Dutech, Sipos & Prospero, 2017: Comparative assessment of SSR and SNP markers for inferring the population genetic structure of the common fungus Armillaria cepistipes. Heredity 119: 371-380. DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2017.48
• Rellstab, Fischer, Zoller, Graf, Tedder, Shimizu, Widmer, Holderegger & Gugerli, 2017: Local adaptation (mostly) remains local – Re-assessing environmental associations of climate-related candidate SNPs in Arabidopsis halleri. Heredity 118: 193-201. DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2016.82
• Fischer, Rellstab, Leuzinger, Roumet, Gugerli, Shimizu, Holderegger & Widmer, 2017: Estimating genomic diversity and population differentiation – an empirical comparison of microsatellite and SNP variation in Arabidopsis halleri. BMC Genomics 18: 69. DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-3459-7
• Rellstab, Zoller, Walthert, Lesur, Pluess, Graf, Bodénès, Sperisen, Kremer & Gugerli, 2016: Signatures of local adaptation in candidate genes of oaks (Quercus spp.) in respect to present and future climatic conditions. Molecular Ecology 25: 5907-5924. DOI: 10.1111/mec.13889
• Rellstab, Bühler, Graf, Folly & Gugerli, 2016: Using joint multivariate analyses of leaf morphology and molecular-genetic markers for taxon identification in three hybridizing European white oak species (Quercus spp.). Annals of Forest Science 73: 669-679. DOI: 10.1007/s13595-016-0552-7
• Seppälä, Louhi, Karvonen, Rellstab & Jokela, 2015: Relative reproductive success of co-infecting parasite genotypes under intensified within-host competition. Infection, Genetics and Evolution 36: 450-455. DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2015.08.015
• Rellstab, Gugerli, Eckert, Hancock & Holderegger, 2015: A practical guide to environmental association analysis in landscape genomics. Invited review. Molecular Ecology 24: 4348-4370. DOI: 10.1111/mec.13322
• Rellstab, Zoller, Tedder, Gugerli & Fischer, 2013: Validation of SNP allele frequencies determined by pooled next-generation sequencing in natural populations of a non-model plant species. PLoS ONE 8: e80422. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0080422
• Fischer, Rellstab, Tedder, Zoller, Gugerli, Shimizu, Holderegger & Widmer, 2013: Population genomic footprints of selection and associations with climate in natural populations of Arabidopsis halleri from the Alps. Molecular Ecology 22: 5594–5607. DOI: 10.1111/mec.12521
• Rellstab, Karvonen, Louhi & Jokela, 2013: Genotype-specific vs. cross-reactive host immunity against a macroparasite. PLoS ONE 8: e78427. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0078427
• Louhi, Karvonen, Rellstab & Jokela, 2013: Genotypic and phenotypic variation in transmission traits of a complex life cycle parasite. Ecology & Evolution 3: 2116-2127. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.621
• Karvonen, Kristjánsson, Skúlason, Lanki, Rellstab & Jokela, 2013: Water temperature, not fish morph, determines parasite infections of sympatric Icelandic threespine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Ecology & Evolution 3: 1507-1517. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.568
• Louhi, Karvonen, Rellstab, Louhi & Jokela, 2013: Prevalence of infection as a predictor of multiple genotype infection frequency in parasites with multiple-host life cycle. Journal of Animal Ecology 82: 191-200. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2012.02028.x
• Seppälä, Karvonen, Rellstab, Louhi & Jokela, 2012: Reciprocal interaction matrix reveals complex genetic and dose-dependent specificity among co-infecting parasites. American Naturalist 180: 306-315. DOI: 10.1086/666985
• Karvonen, Rellstab, Louhi & Jokela, 2012: Synchronous attack is advantageous – mixed genotype infections lead to higher infection success in trematode parasites. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 279: 171-176. DOI:10.1098/rspb.2011.0879
• Wirth, Girardclos, Rellstab & Anselmetti, 2011: The sedimentary response to a pioneer geo-engineering project: Tracking the Kander River deviation in the sediments of Lake Thun (Switzerland). Sedimentology 58: 1737-1761. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3091.2011.01237.x
• Rellstab, Louhi, Karvonen & Jokela, 2011: Analysis of trematode parasite communities in fish eye lenses by pyrosequencing of naturally pooled DNA. Infection, Genetics, Evolution 11: 1276-1286. DOI:10.1016/j.meegid.2011.04.018
• Rellstab, Keller, Girardclos, Anselmetti & Spaak, 2011: Anthropogenic eutrophication shapes the past and present taxonomic composition of hybridizing Daphnia in unproductive lakes. Limnology & Oceanography 56: 292-302. DOI:  10.4319/lo.2011.56.1.0292
• Louhi, Karvonen, Rellstab & Jokela, 2010: Is the population genetic structure of complex life cycle parasites determined by the geographic range of the most motile host? Infection, Genetics and Evolution 10: 1271-1277. DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2010.08.013
• Rellstab & Spaak, 2009: Lake origin determines Daphnia population growth under winter conditions. Journal of Plankton Research. 31: 261-271. DOI: 10.1093/plankt/fbn120
• Filella, Rellstab, Chanudet & Spaak, 2008: Effect of the filter feeder Daphnia on the inorganic colloid particle size distributions in freshwaters. Water Research 42: 1919-1924. DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2007.11.021
• Rellstab & Spaak, 2007. Starving with a full gut? Effect of suspended particles on the fitness of Daphnia hyalina. Hydrobiologia 2007 594: 131-139. DOI: 10.1007/s10750-007-9089-y
• Müller, Breitenstein, Bia, Rellstab & Kirchhofer, 2007. Bottom-up control of whitefish populations in ultra-oligotrophic Lake Brienz. Aquatic Sciences 69: 271-288. DOI: 10.1007/s00027-007-0874-5
• Rellstab, Maurer, Zeh, Bürgi & Spaak, 2007. Temporary collapse of the Daphnia population in turbid and ultra-oligotrophic Lake Brienz. Aquatic Sciences 69: 257-270. DOI: 10.1007/s00027-007-0872-7
• Anselmetti, Bühler, Finger, Girardclos, Lancini, Rellstab & Sturm, 2007. Effects of Alpine hydropower dams on particle transport and lacustrine sedimentation. Aquatic Sciences 69: 179-198. DOI: 10.1007/s00027-007-0875-4
• Rellstab, Bürgi & Müller, 2004. Population regulation in coregonids: the significance of zooplankton concentration for larval mortality. Annales Zoologici Fennici 41: 281-290. LinkPDF

Outreach activities

Outreach publications

• Rellstab, Reutimann, Graf & Horisberger, in press: Vergleich von Feldschlüssel und Genetik bei der Artbestimmung von Eichen. Schweizerische Zeitung für Forstwesen.

• Gugerli, Brodbeck, Bebi, Bollmann, Dauphin, Gossner, Krumm, Peter, Queloz, Reiss, Rellstab, Stofer, von Arx, Wasem & Zweifel, 2022: Swiss stone pine - portrait of a mountain forest tree. WSL Fact sheet: 72,16 p.DOI: 10.55419/wsl:32467

• Gugerli, Brodbeck, Bebi, Bollmann, Dauphin, Gossner, Krumm, Peter, Queloz, Reiss, Rellstab, Stofer, von Arx, Wasem & Zweifel, 2022: Die Arve – Portrait eines Gebirgswaldbaums. WSL Merkblatt für die Praxis: 72,16 p.DOI: 10.55419/wsl:31959

• Gugerli, Brodbeck, Bebi, Bollmann, Dauphin, Gossner, Krumm, Peter, Queloz, Reiss, Rellstab, Stofer, von Arx, Wasem & Zweifel, 2022: L’arole – portrait d’un montagnard. WSL Notice pour le praticien: 72,16 p. DOI: 10.55419/wsl:31960

• Gugerli, Folly, Kramer, Brodbeck, Graf, Csilléry, Opgenoorth, Sperisen, Martínez-Sancho & Rellstab, 2022: Dank genetischer Vielfalt ist die Weisstanne fit für die Zukunft. Wald und Holz: 11/22, 11–14.
• Gugerli, Folly, Kramer, Brodbeck, Graf, Csilléry, Opgenoorth, Sperisen, Martínez-Sancho & Rellstab,2022: Grâce à la diversité génétique, le sapin est prêt pour l’avenir. La Forêt: 11/22, 9–12.
• Bonfils, Horisberger, Ayé, Junod, Tiefenbacher, Pleines, Studhalter & Rellstab, 2020: Eiche fördern, heisst Eiche kennen. Bündner Wald 73, 06/2020, 8-13. PDF
• Reutimann, Gugerli & Rellstab, 2020: Genetische Fingerabdrücke zur Bestimmung von Eichenarten. Wald und Holz: 101. 21-25. PDF
• Reutimann, Gugerli & Rellstab, 2020: L’empreinte génétique – un outil d’identification de l’espèce et du taux de mélange des chênes indigènes. La Forêt: 73, 14-17. PDF
• Rellstab, Fischer, Csencsics, Gugerli, & Holderegger, R., 2017: Bedeutung der lokalen Anpassung in der Naturschutzgenetik. WSL Bericht 60: 31-37. PDF
• Gugerli & Rellstab, 2017. Genetische Forschung mit Misoxer Nadelbäumen. Terra Grischuna 1/2017: 28-31. PDF
• Gugerli, Frank, Rellstab, Pluess, Moser, Arend, Sperisen, Wohlgemuth & Heiri, 2016: Genetische Variation und lokale Anpassung bei Waldbaumarten im Zeichen des Klimawandels. In: Pluess A.R., Augustin S. & P. Brang (Red.) Wald im Klimawandel. Grundlagen für Adaptationsstrategien. Bundesamt für Umwelt BAFU, Bern; Eidg. Forschungsanstalt WSL, Birmensdorf; Haupt, Bern, Stuttgart, Wien. 93-113. PDF
• Gugerli, Frank, Rellstab, Pluess, Moser, Arend, Sperisen, Wohlgemuth & Heiri, 2016: Variation génétique et adaptation locale des essences forestières sous le signe de changements climatiques. Dans: Pluess A.R., Augustin S. & P. Brang (Réd.) Forêts et changements climatiques. Éléments pour des stratégies d‘adaptation. Office fédérale de l‘environnement OFEV, Berne, Institut fédéral de recherches WSL, Birmensdorf. Haupt, Berne, Stuttgart, Vienne. 97-117. PDF
• Rellstab, Pluess & Gugerli, 2016: Lokale Anpassung bei Waldbaumarten: genetische Prozesse und Bedeutung im Klimawandel. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen. 167: 333–340. DOI: 10.3188/szf.2016.0333
• Jordi, Wüest, Bürgi, Müller, Jakob, Huggenberger, Bossard, Finger, Jaun, Rellstab, Spaak, Sturm, Breitenstein, Kirchhofer, Filella, Zeh, 2006. Brienzersee: Ein Ökosystem unter der Lupe. Public brochure. PDF

About our science (selection)

• Waldwissen, 2023: Swiss Stone Pine – Portrait of a Mountain Forest Tree. EnglishGermanFrench
• WSL Diagonal, 2022: "Quo vadis, Flora?" ". EnglishDeutschFrançais
• WSLintern, 2021: "Wie alt ist mein Weihnachtsbaum?" PDF (Deutsch)
• WSL News (Webpage), 2021: "Studying trees' genetic material to make forests climate-smart". EnglishDeutschFrançaisItaliano
• TV Canal9, 2021: Die Arve in Bedrängnis
• Tiroler Zeitung, 2021: "Zieht sich die Königin der Alpen zurück?". Newspaper article about Pinus cembra climate adaptation. PDF (German)
• Bündner Zeitung Südostschweiz, 2021: "Für die «Königin der Alpen» wird die Luft dünn". Newspaper article about Pinus cembra climate adaptation. PDF (German)
• WSL Diagonal, 2020: "Which genes make trees fit for climate change? Annual rings provide a key". PDF: EnglishDeutschFrançais
• WSL News (Webpage), 2019: "Silver fir genome decoded: A tree species for the forest of the future". EnglishDeutschFrançais
• Wald und Holz, 2019: "Kresse hat sich genetisch an schwermetall-verseuchte Böden angepasst". PDF (German)
• Laborjournal, 2019: "Überleben in Polen". PDF (German)
• WSL News (Webpage), 2018: "Specific genes protect cress plants from heavy metals". EnglishDeutschFrançais
• Diploma thesis by Diana Coman in Advanced Studies in Applied Statistics, ETH Zürich, 2017: "Machine Learning Assisted Species Assignment in Oak Trees". Re-analysis of our morphological and genetic oak data. PDF (English)
• ProQuercus Newsletter 2/2016: "Genetische Marker unterstützen die Arterkennung" DeutschFrançais
• WSL Diagonal, 2016: "Oak or oak? Genetics assists with species identification". PDF: EnglishDeutschFrançais
• The Molecular Ecologist (Blog), 2015: "Environmental association analyses: a practical guide for a practical guide". Link (English)
• Jahresbuch Uferschutzverband Thuner- und Brienzersee, 2014. "Sogar die Flöhe sind im Brienzersee einmalig". PDF (Deutsch)
• SNF – Horizonte, 2014. "Für immer verlorene Vielfalt". PDF (Deutsch)
• Academia News Mettler-Toledo, 2007. "UMX2 Micro Balance to Determine Fitness of Daphnia". PDF (English)
• On the cover of TREE (Trends in Ecology & Evolution), 2006. JPG

Outreach projects

• Waldlabor Zürich: "Die Gene der Eiche": App -> Biodiversität und Ökosystemleistungen

Radio interviews

• "Anpassungsfähigkeit – Insekten reagieren extrem schnell auf Klima-Veränderungen". Forschung aktuell, Deutschlandfunk, 2017.

Blogs

• "Summer school on polygenic adaptation in Switzerland", 2017. Website of the GENTREE project.

Abstract Books

• Rellstab, Gugerli & Senn, 2021. Genomics and Adaptation in Forest Ecosystems. Book of Abstracts of the 1st EvolTree Conference. WSL Birmensdorf, Birmensdorf. PDF.

Reports

• Gugerli, Walthert, Sperisen & Rellstab, 2016: QuercAdapt: Zusammenhang zwischen ökologischen Gradienten und adaptiver genetischer Variation bei Eichen (Quercus robur, Q. petraea und Q. pubescens): Sind Herkunftsregionen heute und in Zukunft ökologisch berechtigt? Schlussbericht des Projekts QuercAdapt im Forschungsprogramm Wald und Klimawandel. doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000311151
• Rellstab & Spaak, 2006. Die Daphnien des Brienzersees – Unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des Hochwasserjahres 1999. Final Report, Project Part D, Lake Brienz Project. PDF

Education and positions

• 2013-present: Scientific staff member at WSL in Birmensdorf, Switzerland. Appointed senior researcher in November 2016. Permanent position since July 2019.
• 2011-2013: Post-doctoral researcher at WSL in Birmensdorf, Switzerland
• 2008-2011: Post-doctoral researcher, Centre of Excellence in Evolutionary Research, Jyväskylä, Finland
• 2008: Post-doctoral researcher, Eawag, Dübendorf, Switzerland
• 2003-2007: PhD Student, Eawag, Dübendorf, Switzerland and ETH, Zürich, Switzerland. Collaborator in the interdisciplinary "Lake Brienz Project".
• 2002: Fish biologist, Eawag, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
• 2000-2002: IT specialist, Department of Architecture, ETH, Switzerland.
• 1999: Diploma work, Eawag, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
• 1997: Co-worker in the project “Mediterranean” of the Swiss Ornithological Institute in Mallorca, Spain.
• 1994-2000: Studying biology at ETH Zürich, Switzerland: Master in systematic and ecological biology, with a degree in natural sciences. Areas of specialization: Biosystematics, marine biology, water ecology, limnology, fish biology/ecology.

Acquired grants

• WSL internal project (2022): SeedOpt – Optimierung der genetischen Diversität bei der Samenernte bei Eichen / Optimizing genetic diversity in oak seed harvesting. Role: PI.
• Horizon Europe (2022): OptFORESTS – Harnessing forest genetic resources for increasing options in the face of environmental and societal challenges. Role: Co-PI.
• WSL internal project (2021):GenDiB — Feasibility study for a new national database on geo-referenced genetic diversity in populations of wild species.Role: Co-PI.
• WSL internal project (2021):COMMON-ISO  – Unravelling the genetic component of isotope-derived water-use strategies to improve distribution models of sessile oak across Europe. Role: Co-PI.
• Swiss National Science Foundation Scientific Exchange grant (2021): Genomics and adaptation in forest ccosystems. Role: PI.
• BiodivERsA (2020): ACORN – Identifying seed sources for highly adaptable oak forests in a changing climate. Role: SNF applicant, Co-PI and Work Package Leader.
• Swiss Forest Lab (2020):COMMON-RING – Integrating evolutionary responses to improve predictions of species distributions using tree rings from European common gardens. Role: Co-PI.
• Danish Research Council for Technology and Production (2020): PETRAEA – Oaks in green transition.Role: External collaborator.
• EVOLTREE Opportunity (2018): OAKID2 – Transferability and phylogenetic extension of species-diagnostic SNP markers in European white oak species. Role: PI.
• WSL internal project (2018): GENWOOD – Exploring the genomic basis of wood anatomy. Role: PI.
• Swiss Forest Lab Seed Money Grant (2017): EXTREME-ADAPT – Tolerance and adaptation of tree species to extreme climate events. Role: co-PI.
• EVOLTREE Conference Grant (2017). Travel contribution for IUFRO conference in Freiburg, Germany. Role: applicant.
• Swiss National Science Foundation Conference grant (2017): Genomics of Polygenic Adaptation. Role: co-PI.
• WSL internal project (2016): METALINK – Linking environmental, genomic, and phenotypic information to study the adaptation of Arabidopsis halleri to metal-polluted soils. Role: co-PI.
• The Foundation for Polish Science, reintegration program, HOMING (2016): Adaptation of Arabidopsis halleri to metal-polluted soils: linking environmental, genomic, and phenotypic information. Role: co-applicant.

Scientific boards & committees

• External opponent in the PhD defense of Gabriele Nocchi, Queen Mary University & Kew Botanical Gardens, London (2022)
• Jury member in the PhD defense of Juliette Archambeau, University of Bordeaux (2022)

• Tree Genetics & Genomes – Associate editor (2020-present)

• Evoltree – Member of the executive committee (2019-present)

• Silver Fir Genome Project (SFGP) – head of working group for re-sequencing (2019-present)

• Alpine Forest Genomics Network (AForGeN) – Member of steering committee (2018-present)

• IUFRO Working Party 2.04.11 Alpine Forest Genomics – Deputy coordinator (2018-present)

• WSL Biodiversity Center – member of the steering committee (2020-2022)

• GENTREE Final Conference 2020 - Member of the scientific committee (2019-2020)
• External opponent in the PhD Defense of Francisco Pina-Martins, University of Lisbon (2018)

Selected talks

(most important recent activities)

• Keynote speaker at the general assembly of the Swiss Forest Lab, 2023, Bern, Switzerland. Rellstab: Lifting borders: Genetic admixture in hybridizing oak (Quercus spp.) species
• Invited seminar at the Kew Botanical Gardens, 2022, London, UK. Rellstab: Genetic diversity and local adaptation in the giga-genome of Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra) populations.
• Keynote speaker at the 4th Symposium for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, 2021, Oulu, Finland. Rellstab: Genetic diversity and local adaptation in the giga-genome of Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra) populations.
• Invited talk at the GDC Symposium, 2021, Zürich, Switzerland. Rellstab, Dauphin, Zoller, Brodbeck & Gugerli: Using pooled exome capture to study genetic diversity and local adaptation in the giga‐genome of Pinus cembra.
• GenTree Final Conference, 2020, Avignon, France. Oral presentation. Dauphin, Wüest, Brodbeck, Stefan Zoller, Fischer, Holderegger, Gugerli & Rellstab. Geographic and environmental determinants of neutral and adaptive genomic variation in Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra).
• AForGeN Meeting, 2019, Mont Ventoux, France. Oral presentation. Dauphin, Rellstab, Zoller, Karger, Schmid, Brodbeck, Guillaume & Gugerli: Genomic vulnerability to climate warming in an Alpine tree species (Pinus cembra) with long generation time.
• AForGeN Meeting, 2018, Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. Oral presentation. Rellstab, Dauphin, Zoller, Brodbeck & Gugerli: Using transcriptome sequencing and exome capture to study local adaptation of Pinus cembra at the timberline.
• Arabis Symposium, 2018, Köln, Germany. Oral presentation. Rellstab, Zoller, Tedder, Gugerli, Shimizu, Holderegger, Widmer & Fischer: Parallel local adaption to heterogeneous alpine environments in three distinct Brassicaceae species.
• Invited speaker at the Symposium "Genomic Basis of Climate Adaptation", 2018, Frankfurt, Germany. Rellstab: Towards predictive genomics – Adaptation of oaks (Quercus spp.) to present and future climatic conditions.
• Invited talk at University of Marburg (Kolloquium "Ökologie Naturschutz Biodiversität"), 2018, Germany. Rellstab: Towards predictive genomics – Adaptation of oaks (Quercus spp.) to present and future climatic conditions.
• Forum für Wissen 2017, Birmensdorf, Switzerland. Invited talk. Rellstab, Fischer, Csencsics, Gugerli, & Holderegger, R., 2017: Bedeutung der Genomik und lokalen Anpassung in der Naturschutzgenetik.
• IUFRO 125th Anniversary Congress 2017, Freiburg, Germany. Oral presentation. Rellstab, Zoller, Brodbeck & Gugerli: Using transcriptome sequencing and exome capture to study local adaptation of Pinus cembra at the colonization front.
• ESEB 2017, Groningen, Netherlands. Oral presentation. Rellstab, Zoller, Brodbeck & Gugerli: Using transcriptome sequencing and exome capture to study local adaptation of Pinus cembra at the colonization front.
• Invited talk at University of Zürich (BEES seminar), 2017, Switzerland. Rellstab & Gugerli: Towards predictive genomics – Adaptation of oaks (Quercus spp.) to present and future climatic conditions.
• Invited talk at the GDC Symposium 2016, Zürich, Switzerland. Rellstab, Zoller, Walthert, Lesur, Pluess, Graf, Bodénès, Sperisen, Kremer & Gugerli: Signatures of local adaptation in candidate genes of oaks (Quercus spp.) in respect to present and future climatic conditions.
• IUFRO Genomics and Forest Tree Genetics 2016. Oral presentation. Rellstab, Zoller, Walthert, Lesur, Pluess, Graf, Bodénès, Sperisen, Kremer & Gugerli: Signatures of local adaptation in candidate genes of oaks (Quercus spp.) in respect to present and future climatic conditions.

Supervision of students/staff and hosting of guest scientists

• Fellowships: Lars Opgenoorth (2019)
• Guest scientists: Sabrina Träger (2020), Alicja Babst-Kostecka (2018, 2019), Charalambos Neophytou (2018)
• PostDocs/Scientific staff: Deborah Leigh (2021-present), Benjamin Dauphin (2018-2021), Christian Sailer (2017)
• PhD students: Aude Rogivue (2014-2018, co-supervision), Katja-Riikka Louhi (2008-2011, co-supervision)

• Scientific assistants: Cristina Haldemann (2022-present)

• Technicians: Lenka Mateju (2018-2019)

• Master students: Felix Zimmermann (2023), Nicolas Dörig (2021), Oliver Reutimann (2018-2019), Catherine Folly (2013, co-supervision), Marloes Caduff-Kinkel (2006, co-supervision), Christoph Tellenbach (2004, co-supervision)
• Guest students: Michaela Volekova (2015)
• Internships: Murtaza Shah (2022), Janis Signer (2022), Stephanie Jud (2020), Jules Peter (2019-2020), Oliver Reutimann (2019), Andreas Bühler (2015), Catherina Folly (2014), Dino Wirz (2014), Karin Moosbrugger (2014), Luzia Oeschger (2014), Melody Schmid (2014)

Organization of symposia, workshops, schools, and webinars

• Co-organizer of the Evoltree Online Seminar Series "Genetic and genomic approaches to studying communities". 2022. YouTube.
• Co-organizer of the Evoltree Conference "Genomics and Adaptation in Forest Ecosystems" at WSL Birmensdorf, Switzerland. 2021. YouTube.
• Co-organizer of the Evoltree Online Seminar Series "Genomics in Practice". 2021. YouTube.
• Co-organizer of the Evoltree Online Seminar Series "Adaptation to climate change". 2021. YouTube.
• Co-organizer of the Evoltree Online Seminar Series "Polygenic Adaptation". 2020. YouTube.
• Co-organizer of the Symposium "Detecting the Genomic Signal of Polygenic Adaptation and the Role of Epistasis in Evolution" at the University of Zürich, Switzerland". 2017.
• Co-organizer of the Summer School on "Integrated methods to detect polygenic adaptation from genomic data" at WSL in Birmensdorf, Switzerland. 2017.
• Co-organizer of the Arabis Workshop 2013 in Birmensdorf, Switzerland.
• Co-organizer and webmaster of the 7th Symposium on Cladocera in Herzberg, Switzerland. 2005.

Teaching activities

• Adaptation of Environmental Genomics, WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland (2020-present).
• Winter School in Landscape Genetics, WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland (2016-2018).
• PEAK course (2013) "Auswirkungen der Re-Oligotrophierung auf Ökologie, Artenvielfalt und Funktion der Seen", Eawag, Dübendorf, Switzerland. Module: "Zooplankton: Fallbeispiel Daphnien".
• Teaching assistant in "Aquatic ecology" and "Lake biology" at ETH Zürich, Switzerland (2004-2006).

Reviews

Web of Science

• Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
• Agence National Recherche (ANR) France
• Annals of Forest Science
• Aquatic Ecology
• Aquatic Sciences
• Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• Chemosphere
• Environmental Chemistry Letters
• ERC Advanced Grant “Evolutionary, Population, and Environmental Biology”
• Estonian Research Council
• Evolutionary Applications
• Forests
• Frontiers in Plant Science
• Heredity
• Hydrobiologia
• Journal of Limnology
• Journal for Nature Conservation
• Journal of the North American Benthological Society
• Limnology & Oceanography
• Molecular Biology Reports
• Molecular Ecology
• Molecular Ecology Resources
• Nature Climate Change

• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

• Naturwissenschaften – The Science of Nature
• Plants People Planet
• PLOS ONE
• Revista de Biologia Tropical
• Silvae Genetica
• Tree Genetics & Genomes
• Trees

Member of

• Arabis Network
• European Society of Evolutionary Biologists (ESEB)
• EvolTree
• Alpine Forest Genomics Network (AForGeN)

• Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution (SMBE)

• Swiss Forest Lab