Scientific and Research Projects

• Tree-ring studies on beech species from the northern and southern hemisphere: Are there differences in the tree-ring structure between evergreen and deciduous beeches?
  Description of the project:

  Because of the absence of striking structural differences between early and late wood the tree-ring boundary of trees with diffuse-porous wood anatomy is often difficult to determine. Northern and southern beeches (Fagus spp. and Nothofagus spp.) share diffuse-porous wood anatomy and are similar in tree habitus and growth behavior. In this cooperative research project between the Chair of Forest Growth and the New Zealand Forest Research Institute (SCION) in Rotorua, New Zealand, we investigate differences in the tree-ring structure of the deciduous northern beech (Fagus sylvatica) and two evergreen southern beech species (Red beech: Nothofagus fusca, Silver beech: Nothofagus menziesii) with the aim to assess the dendroecological and dendroclimatological potential of these trees species. In addition the research results will be of relevance for the assessment of the risks and potentials of these tree species under changing climatic conditions. The research material consists of stem discs and increment cores that were obtained along altitudinal gradients in southern Germany and in the North Island of New Zealand. In addition to the comparative wood anatomical analysis, tree-ring density will be assessed using high-frequency-densitometry (HF-densitometry).
  
  contact person: Dr. Hans-Peter Kahle
  Phone: +49 761 203-3739
  Email: Hans-Peter.Kahle@iww.uni-freiburg.de

  Runtime:

  Start of project: 2011
  End of project: (unlimited)

  Project Management:

  Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg
  Dr. Hans-Peter Kahle, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Heinrich Spiecker, Dr. Martin Schinker, Clemens Koch
  

  Financing:
  • Royal Society of new Zealand, Sonstiges