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Tree species regeneration in European forests
Forest regeneration is a fundamental process ensuring the sustainability and resilience of ecosystems. Across Europe, tree species regeneration varies due to differences in climate, soil conditions, competition, and forest management practices. Understanding regeneration patterns is crucial for maintaining biodiversity, promoting forest resilience, and ensuring the long-term provisioning of ecosystem services. However, there is limited comprehensive analysis of how tree species regeneration has changed over time at a continental scale. By assessing regeneration trends, dominant regenerating species, and the role of functional groups (deciduous vs. coniferous), we can gain insights into the factors influencing forest regeneration in different regions.
This study will integrate multiple datasets, including:
• Forest inventory data from European national and international databases (e.g., NFI) to assess species-specific regeneration trends.
• Climate and environmental variables (elevation, soil type, climatic data) to analyze their influence on regeneration patterns.
• Statistical models and spatial analysis to examine the relationships between species regeneration, functional groups, and environmental conditions.
This study will integrate multiple datasets, including:
• Forest inventory data from European national and international databases (e.g., NFI) to assess species-specific regeneration trends.
• Climate and environmental variables (elevation, soil type, climatic data) to analyze their influence on regeneration patterns.
• Statistical models and spatial analysis to examine the relationships between species regeneration, functional groups, and environmental conditions.
The aim of this study is to analyze tree species regeneration patterns across Europe over the past 30 years, identifying trends, dominant regenerating species, and the role of different functional groups in shaping forest composition.
**Objectives**:
1. Investigate species regeneration trends over time by analyzing forest inventory.
2. Compare regeneration success between functional groups.
3. Assess regional differences in tree species regeneration to understand how climate, forest type, and management practices influence regeneration success.
**Wanted**:
A highly motivated student interested in statistics and biodiversity, willing to learn new practical techniques and ecological concepts.
**You will get to**:
• Learn about remote sensing and, more importantly, how to apply these technical skills to a relevant application for the forestry community.
• Get familiar with the latest developments in forest ecology and statistics.
• Gain important remote sensing knowledge for future work.
• Be a co-author on a publication resulting from this work.
• Be part of a motivated, fun, and energetic team of scientists.
The aim of this study is to analyze tree species regeneration patterns across Europe over the past 30 years, identifying trends, dominant regenerating species, and the role of different functional groups in shaping forest composition.
**Objectives**:
1. Investigate species regeneration trends over time by analyzing forest inventory.
2. Compare regeneration success between functional groups.
3. Assess regional differences in tree species regeneration to understand how climate, forest type, and management practices influence regeneration success.
**Wanted**:
A highly motivated student interested in statistics and biodiversity, willing to learn new practical techniques and ecological concepts.
**You will get to**:
• Learn about remote sensing and, more importantly, how to apply these technical skills to a relevant application for the forestry community.
• Get familiar with the latest developments in forest ecology and statistics.
• Gain important remote sensing knowledge for future work.
• Be a co-author on a publication resulting from this work.
• Be part of a motivated, fun, and energetic team of scientists.
Supervisor: Dr. Jasper Fuchs and Dr. Mirela Beloiu Schwenke
Collaboration: Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL and University of Bayreuth
If the idea of participating in cutting-edge interdisciplinary research excites you, please contact mirela.beloiu(at)usys.ethz.ch. The FORM team is looking forward to hearing from you!
References:
Paper: Sheltered or suppressed? Tree regeneration in unmanaged European forests (link) https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1365-2745.14181 .
Supervisor: Dr. Jasper Fuchs and Dr. Mirela Beloiu Schwenke
Collaboration: Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL and University of Bayreuth
If the idea of participating in cutting-edge interdisciplinary research excites you, please contact mirela.beloiu(at)usys.ethz.ch. The FORM team is looking forward to hearing from you!
References:
Paper: Sheltered or suppressed? Tree regeneration in unmanaged European forests (link) https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1365-2745.14181 .