WIND - An overlooked aspect of climate change impacts on plant communities

• Applicant: Dr. Pierre Liancourt, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Ecology and Biodiversity of Plants and Ecosystems ; Plant Physiology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 548959039

Current research on the impact of climate change on vegetation has primarily focused on temperature and precipitation, overlooking the role of wind as a climate driver. However, wind intensity and frequency are influenced by climate change, which can have significant effects on plant communities. Wind interacts with temperature and precipitation, modifying the impacts on plant performance. While the effects of wind on plant physiology and traits are complex, it is generally understood that increasing wind speed influences water use efficiency and reduces leaf temperature. Moreover, wind influences plant-plant interactions, including competition and facilitation, which play a crucial role in community dynamics and coexistence. Wind also interacts with other climate variables, such as drought and warming, influencing plant water balance and temperature regulation. Unfortunately, most experimental studies on climate change have largely neglected the effects of wind, creating a research gap in understanding the consequences of changed wind conditions on plant populations and communities. Investigating the ecological effects of wind and its interactions with other factors is vital for a comprehensive understanding of how climate change impacts biodiversity and community dynamics. My project is addressing this research gap and provide experimental evidence for the significance of changing wind on plants and their communities in the context of climate change.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants