Project description
Investigating drought sensitivity as a driver for treeline limits
Most treelines are temperature-dependent and tend to expand as climatic conditions warm. This is evidenced by global warming, as many treelines shift to higher elevations and latitudes, often coupled with a loss of biodiversity. However, some treelines remain unchanged, despite rising temperatures and increasing treeline isotherms (seasonal mean temperatures indicative of tree growth). The EU-funded treelineQWA project aims to investigate the reasons for this treeline differential by identifying drought-sensitive species that fail to adapt to global warming. By analysing xylem anatomical traits of common European tree species and their relative altitudinal position compared to given treeline isotherms, it will determine the resilience of species to climate change.
Objective
Global warming has modified the distribution of some forests growing at their altitudinal limit (treelines): some have been advancing (leading to loss of alpine biodiversity and changes in surface reflectance of mountain and polar areas), others remained stable leaving a lag between the position of uppermost tree stands and the treeline isotherm (TI, common seasonal mean temperature indicative for potential treeline position). Despite these striking worldwide patterns, there is a lack of systematic observation to understand the drivers of differential treeline response to global warming. The extent of the treeline lag behind warming may be associated with seedlings survival. However, as temperature is considered the main factor responsible for treeline, the role of seedling drought sensitivity as driver of differential treeline response to global warming is poorly understood. Certain xylem anatomical traits (XA) such as conduits wall thickness-area ratio, conduits area and layers, pits, and parenchyma area may confer drought adaptations, ultimately affecting survival and growth under increasing warming conditions. The proposed research will help understand the drivers of differential treeline response to global warming. I will analyse the effect of XA on the distance of the uppermost tree stands to TI in representative European treeline tree species. We will determine the treelines’ lag across several regions. I will quantify XA and their plasticity, and correlate them with treeline position. My contribution to achieve the project objectives relies on quantitative wood anatomy experience for studying drought adaptations in tree species, and examining patterns between drought resistance and anatomical variation. This project brings me experience abroad to get a permanent position at a high-quality research institution, with a high-life quality, focusing on independent research on wood anatomical influence on plant function under stressful environments.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries forestry
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.4.1 - Widening participation and spreading excellence
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.4.1.5 - Fostering brain circulation of researchers and excellence initiatives
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-TALENTS-04
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
116 36 Praha 1
Czechia
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.