Drought as a modifier of interactions between beech and spruce

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Rainer Matyssek; Professor Dr. Hans Pretzsch; Privatdozentin Dr. Karin Pritsch, since 6/2016
• Subject Area: Forestry
• Term: from 2013 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 229957030

Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) dominate Central European forests. Due to favourable forest services and functions, mixed stands of these species are preferred, although being under debate in view of climate change and particularly drought stress. episodes. Based on an ecological transect from moist to dry forest sites and a controlled throughfall exclusion experiment, drought impact will be clarified regarding (A) tree and stand-level growth performance, (B) species-specific response under intra and inter-specific conditions in relation to hypothesized xylem dysfunction and carbon starvation, and (C) ectomycorrhizal community functions associated with root growth. The precipitation gradient will be set into perspective of prolonged, severe drought through an integrated experimentation and modeling approach. Three principal research teams, applying here, and two associated external groups will pursue spatio-temporal scaling on the outlined research aims, linking the highly resolved tree-level evidence for critical relevance evaluation with process-based stand-level and long-term validation. Available long-term research experience, infra-structure (e.g. crane) at one of the sites, Kranzberger Forst, and novel modelling approaches will warrant the cooperative project to be highly efficient and successful.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Jean Charles Munch, until 6/2016