Forest hydrology and environmental responses of trees

Growth and carbon sequestration of trees in boreal zone is based on growth processes and survival strategies and their acclimation and adaptation to the changes in environmental factors. The right timing of phenological events with underlaying physiological processes are implications of proper acclimation to changes in environmental regimes. Extreme weather events, that are predicted to increase in future, set challenges for those processes.

In tree growth, almost half of the annual net assimilation is allocated to roots, and especially to short-living fine roots. However, there is much uncertainty how their annual development and longevity depends on environmental factors.

In this project are studied extrinsic and intrinsic drivers of growth of fine roots and the relation with the growth of the above-ground organs. Special focus is how mycorrhizal roots respond to extreme weather events like soil freezing and to soil hypoxic condition by waterlogging. In addition, new biophysical methods will be developed for studying condition and growth of roots. We explore the answer to the question how soil water table and its changes affect forest regeneration and growth in different growth sites to be considered in silvicultural practices.