Projects
The anatomical and physiological response of Scots pine xylem formation to variable water availability
Funded by the Russian Science Foundation (Project #18-74-10048).
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is a broadly distributed conifer occurring in both boreal regions and warm water-limited environments as in the Mediterranean basin. This project aims to identify tree growth responses of Pinus sylvestris to water-limited environments along a North-South gradient of decreasing precipitation by comparing three forest sites with contrasting soil water availability. In particular, we will investigate the different growth responses to climate change and quantify their influence on tree water and carbon dynamics. The integration of short-term detailed ecophysiological observations with the continuous perspective offered by tree-ring time-series will enable us to exploit the long term view to have a mechanistic understanding of the ongoing processes and their mechanisms.
Evaluating the impact of the Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric power station on local and regional climatic conditions by assessing pine growth
Founded by the government of the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Project # 20-44-24002)
This study aims to evaluate changes in local climate conditions after constructing the Krasnoyarsk dam by analyzing tree growth patterns in four sites along the water reservoir and the Yenisei River. We will combine dendrochronological measurements (tree-ring width) with evidence from tree growth modeling and remote sensing to quantify changes in the climate response of both the phenology and productivity of Scots pine before and after the construction of the dam and the filling of the reservoir (1967-1970). different climate change scenarios. We expect to find a positive effect on years after the dam's construction in those sites up the dam due to the alleviation of limiting conditions on tree growth, whereas the positive effect will decrease in those sites down the dam. Under the predicting rising temperatures in the area, we expect to find a stronger negative influence of climate (mostly by drought) in the sites down the dam.
