Assessing tree water use strategies along a hydrological transect across Europe: Sweden, Germany, Italy
My name is Clara Rohde, a PhD candidate at the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF). I am grateful to WATSON COST Action for providing me with the opportunity to conduct a research project at the Swedish scientific forest station Tönnersjöheden in collaboration with John Marshall. The objective is to establish a long-term research site to determine whether individuals of Fagus sylvatica that have historically been less connected to the capillary zone will respond differently to drier situations than those that have always had a reliable water source. For this reason, two Fagus sylvatica sites were selected: one near a river and one situated 50 meters uphill. Stem cores (sapwood, phloem) and soil samples were collected for δ18O and δ2H analysis to assess their response to loss of capillary zone connectivity. In addition, permanent sap flux and soil moisture measurements were installed during the same week.
The STSM has allowed me to establish an additional research site for comparison with similar sites in Germany and Italy. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to observe similar work being conducted by colleagues from my field in different environments, resulting in new ideas for future collaborations and projects.
Clara Rohde is the recipient of a Short term scientific missions grant
