Internal and external effects on spatial pattern of alpine treeline shifts
Identification data, head of the project
Czech Science Foundation (GA ČR), No. GPP504/11/P557, time of solution 2011-2013, head of the project Václav Treml
Project annotation
The proposed project is focused on analysis of variables influencing spatial pattern of treeline shifts in the Krkonoše Mts. and the Hrubý Jeseník Mts. both at landscape and local level. The extent of the alpine forest-free zone is crucially affected by treeline shifts, especially in case of small treeless patches. Such spatially limited areas, common in low elevated High Sudetes, are significantly threatened by climate change. The proposed methodological approach is based on detailed comparison of treeline shifts during last seventy years inferred from aerial images and dendrochronology. Detected changes of tree cover within the treeline ecotone will be correlated with the both environmental (external) and structural (internal) variables, in order to detect their influence on treeline shifts at landscape level. To explain landscape level patterns of treeline shifts, local growth dynamic of Norway spruce along different sites situated in the treeline ecotone will be analysed both on inter-annual and intra-annual time scale.
Further information
Document Actions