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1. Mechanisms of health and mortality in central European tree species
Background: Recent years have seen accelerated tree mortality due to heat and drought, with varying responses across tree species. Understanding the physiological mechanisms leading to mortality is critical, particularly in response to drought-induced stress. Tree rings offer historical insights into growth patterns affected by environmental conditions, while remote-sensing-based vegetation indices provide continuous large-scale information about tree health since the mid-1980s. Exploring the correlation between these two data sources may reveal early signs of stress and improve our understanding of mortality mechanisms across key European tree species. This approach will help define species-specific mechanisms of tree mortality and improve our ability to monitor forest health over time.
Keywords: tree growth; tree rings; satellite data; European forests
Methods:
Tree-ring-based measurements will be used to assess mortality mechanisms. The data will be gathered from current databases and/ or several field measurement campaigns. The remote sensing data will be extracted based on the multispectral Landsat time series data.
Wanted:
We are looking for a highly motivated student interested in forest management, climate change research and the complementary use of remote sensing.
The successful candidate should have basic knowledge of plant ecophysiology or dendrochronological methods, statistical analysis and be willing to obtain basics skills in remote sensing and learn from experts in these fields.
You will get to:
• Learn about why some trees survive while others succumb to drought and gain important practical skills for your future work.
• Expand your network by discussing your work with experts from the intersecting fields of forest sciences, and remote sensing.
• Be a co-author of a publication resulting from this work.
• Be part of a motivated, fun, and energetic team of interdisciplinary scientists.
Methods: Tree-ring-based measurements will be used to assess mortality mechanisms. The data will be gathered from current databases and/ or several field measurement campaigns. The remote sensing data will be extracted based on the multispectral Landsat time series data.
Wanted: We are looking for a highly motivated student interested in forest management, climate change research and the complementary use of remote sensing. The successful candidate should have basic knowledge of plant ecophysiology or dendrochronological methods, statistical analysis and be willing to obtain basics skills in remote sensing and learn from experts in these fields.
You will get to:
• Learn about why some trees survive while others succumb to drought and gain important practical skills for your future work.
• Expand your network by discussing your work with experts from the intersecting fields of forest sciences, and remote sensing.
• Be a co-author of a publication resulting from this work.
• Be part of a motivated, fun, and energetic team of interdisciplinary scientists.
Assess the correlation between tree ring growth patterns of conifers (e.g., Picea abies or Pinus sylvestris) and broadleaved (e.g., Fagus sylvatica) and remote-sensing-based vegetation indices to examine how these indicators reflect changes in tree health across Switzerland over three decades.
Assess the correlation between tree ring growth patterns of conifers (e.g., Picea abies or Pinus sylvestris) and broadleaved (e.g., Fagus sylvatica) and remote-sensing-based vegetation indices to examine how these indicators reflect changes in tree health across Switzerland over three decades.
Supervisor: Dr. Mirela Beloiu Schwenke (ETH Zürich), Dr. Lars Waser (WSL), Dr. Stefan Klesse (WSL).
The project has a flexible starting date.
Collaboration: Swiss Federal research Institute (WSL) experts; If the idea of participating in cutting edge interdisciplinary research excites you, please contact mirela.beloiu@usys.ethz.ch or lars.waser@wsl.ch. The FORM & WSL team is looking forward to hearing from you!
Supervisor: Dr. Mirela Beloiu Schwenke (ETH Zürich), Dr. Lars Waser (WSL), Dr. Stefan Klesse (WSL). The project has a flexible starting date. Collaboration: Swiss Federal research Institute (WSL) experts; If the idea of participating in cutting edge interdisciplinary research excites you, please contact mirela.beloiu@usys.ethz.ch or lars.waser@wsl.ch. The FORM & WSL team is looking forward to hearing from you!