B2 Tree physiological and structural properties as response and effect traits of biotic-atmospheric interactions in natural and anthropogenic eco-systems in South Ecuador. [funded by DFG]
PI(s) for this project:
Prof. Dr. Achim Bräuning
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Erwin Beck
Abstract:
Subproject B2 investigates the dynamics of carbon and water relations as response and effect traits of evapotranspiration and biomass production at the individual plant level. These details are required for an understanding of the water and carbon fluxes at the plot scale, but also provide realistic parameters for the calibration of the models LSMBio und LSMatmo. The dynamics of the gas exchange of the leaves as well as the integrating isotope signatures (d13C, d18O) will be studied along altitudinal gradients in both the mountain rainforest and the mountain dry forest. Effect traits emerging from the leaves’ gas exchange are the daily water consumption, recorded via xylem sap flow, and carbon gain (tree growth), which are variables required for upscaling from the leaf to the plant level. Growth will be measured with high-resolution dendrometers. and d18O signatures of the wood. Water use efficiency (instantaneous, intrinsic) will be determined from d13C signatures in the wood along the environmental gradients. The physiological, dendroecological and wood anatomical studies will contribute to a deeper understanding of the underlying processes and their environmental margins und changing climate conditions.
