The Missing Component

Abstract

Plants contend with a myriad of environmental stressors that exert constraints on their performances, posing considerable concerns regarding the enduring persistence and resilience of plant populations over the long term. This apprehension is especially pertinent for Mediterranean species, exemplified by the wild olive and the carob tree. Nevertheless, a multitude of studies have illustrated that plant species exhibit the capability to endure adverse environmental conditions through the deployment of various morpho-physiological and biochemical traits that support physiological processes. Given the pivotal role of wild fruit trees as invaluable genetic resources, a comprehensive understanding of their potential responses to evolving environmental conditions becomes imperative for the development of apt strategies for resource preservation and breeding programs. In the context of this chapter, our hypothesis posits that intraspecific trait variability emerges as a central player in augmenting the resilience of these emblematic wild fruit trees in the face of climate change.