Tree-size-related thermal tolerance in the Traunstein-ForestGEO plot
Abstract
As a consequence of climate change, mortality of canopy trees has doubled in European temperate forests over the last three decades. Accelerated tree mortality causes changes in ecological communities, alters ecosystem function, reduces ecosystem services, and can have land–climate feedbacks. Currently, the drivers and mechanisms of tree mortality are still under debate and are most probably a result of complex interdependencies of mutually inclusive mechanics. However, a mechanistic understanding of tree mortality is crucial to lessen economic and cultural harm and sustain forest production systems. The majority of studies on tree mortality focus predominantly on drought stress as the initial trigger of tree mortality. Given the predicted significant increase in frequency, duration, and intensity of temperature extremes (heatwaves), the role of thermal stress will gain of great importance in climate-change-related ecosystem research. In this project, we will on tree-size dependent thermal stress in a temperate forest.
Publikationen
Project staff
Norbert Kunert
Priv.-Doz. Dr. Norbert Kunert
norbert.kunert@boku.ac.at
BOKU Project Leader
01.01.2022 - 31.12.2022