Scientific and Research Projects

• Analysis of Vitality Problems of Douglas-fir in Rhineland-Palatinate
  Description of the project:

  In the forest region “Bienwald” in Rhineland-Palatinate a decreasing vitality of Douglas-fir has been observed during recent years. Previous investigations of this phenomenon could not find one simple explanation. A pilot study using tree-ring analysis indicated that during the summer drought 2003 the trees were weakened. For a better understanding of the causes of the observed vitality losses this project has been initiated. To achieve this aim a representative analysis of reference trees initiated. New, as well as conventional methods of dendroecology will be applied to examine the impact of weather conditions on tree growth as an indicator for vitality. HF-densitometry will be employed complemented by cell structure analysis. Especially the already found influence of the year 2003 and its impact on the vitality in subsequent years will be analysed. Furthermore possible impacts of genetics will be investigated.
  
  contact person: Dr. Hans-Peter Kahle
  Phone: +49 761 203-3739
  Email: Hans-Peter.Kahle@iww.uni-freiburg.de

  Runtime:

  Start of project: 01.12.2010
  End of project: 31.10.2011

  Project Management:

  Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg
  Simeon Springmann, Bela Bender, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Heinrich Spiecker, Dr. Hans-Peter Kahle
  

  Financing:
  • Forstverwaltung Rheinland-Pfalz, Sonstiges