Project Overview
The goal of this project is to quantify if, how and when the woody growth of important tree species has changed over the past century within the Northern Forest with environmental data from the region to identify potential drivers of differential health and productivity. Seven species will be targeted for study, including the major components of the northern hardwood forest (sugar maple, yellow birch, and American beech). Sugar maple and yellow birch have both exhibited recent declines, most likely due to soil acidification (Halman et al. 2015), while American beech has increased in relative abundance (Duchesne and Ouimet 2009, Marlow and Peart 2014). We are also investigating red oak (Quercus rubra) - a species whose habitat is predicted to expand as climate changes (e.g., Iverson et al. 2008), and eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) and eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) – temperate conifers that may benefit from an extended growing season.
Objectives
The goal of this project is to quantify if, how and when the woody growth of important tree species has changed over the past century within the Northern Forest with environmental data from the region to identify potential drivers of differential health and productivity.
Dataset Availability
There are no datasets associated with this project
Tags
Status - Active
Start date: 2016-08-12
Anticipated end date: 2016-10-21
Study Area
