FORKAST

BAVARIAN RESEARCH ASSOCIATION "CLIMATIC IMPACTS ON ECOSYSTEMS AND CLIMATIC ADAPTATION STRATEGIES"

TP13 Modelling mortality of main tree species on whole-tree and stand level depending on environmental conditions

Changes of climate conditions and climatic extreme events influence the stand structure and forest regeneration considerably and thus affect productivity and ecological functional services. Furthermore frequency, length and intensity of extreme events are crucial in affecting structure and mortality of forest ecosystems. This subproject analyses and models the die back processes of single trees depending on site conditions and weather. Empirical analyses of stress and mortality processes and integration of data material of other cooperation partner projects of FORKAST are used by the projects. The understanding and simulation of mortality processes on whole-tree level associated with other subprojects like for example TP 14 are integrated in the modelling of stand structure, mortality processes and changes in tree species on stand level. Analyses and modelling of the reaction of long-living forest ecosystems assures an improved understanding of capacity and resilience under climate change and especially climatic extreme events (drought, snow load, late frost). Site-depending recommendations of action can be derived for silviculture particularly in regard to studied forests in low mountain ranges and the Alps.

Grant-aided by:
Bavarian State Ministry for Science, Research and Arts