Vitality analysis of central Patagonian tree species
Subproject leaders: Prof. Dr. Christoph Leuschner (Uni Göttingen, Germany); Dr. María F. Urretavizcaya, Dr. Marina Caselli (CIEFAP, Argentina).
This research focus will investigate selected vitality parameters of important Patagonian tree species (initially Nothofagus pumilio, N. dombeyii, Austrocedrus chilensis) along precipitation gradients in Patagonia. In addition, introduced and fire-resistant tree species (especially Pinus species and Pseudotsuga menziesii) will be studied ecophysiologically.
On up to 20 trees per species dominating the canopy layer, cores will be taken from the stem wood on several study plots along the study transects and examined dendrochronologically for long-term growth trends, growth resilience after extreme droughts and/or fire events, and the climate dependence of radial increment. δ13C-values of the annual rings will provide evidence for long-term changes in water use efficiency of the trees along precipitation gradients and indicate stomatal limitation of CO2 assimilation.
The main objective is to determine species-specific precipitation thresholds along the study transects beyond which potential declines in increment or increased climate sensitivity of increment occur. These thresholds may explain potential climatogenic "tipping points" also identified in the vegetation analysis and provide clues to future shifts in tree species composition. In this context, the extent to which introduced tree species are more drought tolerant will be investigated.
In addition, light-canopy leaves will be examined for leaf morphological and chemical parameters to provide evidence of drought stress-induced stomatal closure and changes in leaf morphology.
Results on this research focus can be found in the project updates (pdf project update 2022 pdf project update 2023).
This subproject is located at the Dept. of Plant Ecology and Ecosystem Research, University of Göttingen.
Main project team: Ernesto Juan Reiter (PhD student)
Further team members: Dr. Maryna Malgorzata Kotowska, Dr. Robert Weigel, Dr. Alois Simon, Dr. José Omar Bava, Dr. Héctor Gonda, Dr. Gabriel Loguercio, Prof. Dr. Mario Rajchenberg, Dr. María Eugenia Salgado Salómon
Publications
Reiter E.J., Weigel R., Walentowski H., Fierke J., Kotowska M., Loguercio G., Leuschner C. (2023) Recent climate warming differently affects dominant broadleaf and conifer species in northern Patagonian Forests. Poster presentation, TRACE Conference 2023, Coimbra, Portugal (Book of Abstracts)
