Research team
Expertise
I’m interested in plant physiology in relation to the environment at both the phenotypic and the molecular levels, as well as microbial community in interaction with the plant. My research focuses on long-lived plant species (especially trees) from temperate to polar ecosystems. I work at individual-, population- and ecosystem- scale, at seasonal and annual level, adopting field-work, data-analysis and modeling.
Autumn dynamic of starch formation under contrasting environmental conditions for European beech and Silver birch.
Abstract
Tree carbohydrate reserve compounds (Creserve) stored in wood are essential for tree growth. Creserve varies through the year, it is heavily used in early spring to create new tissue, forms de novo in summer and peaks in autumn. The timing of leaf senescence affects the peak of starch which is the main long-term storage of Creserve. My earlier research highlighted that the timing of the onset of leaf senescence significantly affects spring leaf phenology. The mechanism behind this finding is potentially related to the tree starch dynamic in autumn. With the BOF-KP, I want to investigate the dynamic of starch in autumn in different parts of the tress under contrasted environmental conditions. The budget will allow me to perform starch analysis within an established autumn experiment on European beech and Sylver birch currently taking place at PLECO. The experimental set-up in growing chambers mimics a "normal" autumn condition and a "prolonged summer" known to delay leaf senescence. For both conditions, autumn and next year spring phenology is followed. To study starch dynamics, CO2-13C was released in the growth chamber in mid-August and mid-October at the beginning and middle of leaf senescence. By comparing 13C-starch in samples across time and condition, I will elucidate when starch is formed, in which organ it is stored and if these dynamics vary between environmental conditions. I will be able to compare the autumn starch dynamic and next year's bud-bud timing. the possible influence of tree reserves on phenology timing is an essential topic as it conditions biomass production and long-term tree carbon storage efficiency.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Marchand Lorène
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Eco-physiological dynamics behind the inter-tree bud-burst timing variability in temperate deciduous forests.
Abstract
Bud-burst is a crucial phenological event in deciduous trees, as it controls the start of the growing season, water uptake and the tree energy balance. However, current models do not predict bud-burst timing accurately. One reason for this is related to the inter-tree variability in bud-burst timing, which is generally overlooked. Earlier research highlighted the correlation between inter-tree variability in bud-burst timing and the inter-tree variability in the previous year's autumn phenology and tree size. Yet, we currently do not know the eco-physiological bases behind these dynamics. My project tackles the new hypothesis that inter-tree variability in bud-burst timing in deciduous forests is driven by inter-tree variability in non-structural reserves of carbon and nitrogen. Moreover, as bud-burst timing and reserve dynamics are species-specific and affected by local climate, these dynamics are expected to vary spatially. I will target populations of beech, oak and birch within the temperate oceanic European zone, with the majority of the research taking place in Belgium. The results obtained will be integrated into the model ORCHIDEE, strongly improving predictions of bud-burst timing in deciduous forests. The newly developed version of ORCHIDEE will be used to make simulations of long-term forest growth and carbon stocks. My project will thus fundamental understanding of tree functioning, which is essential to assess forests' ecosystem services.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Campioli Matteo
- Fellow: Marchand Lorène
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project