Responses of Andean Montane Forests to Climate Change
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Department Name: Geography
Abstract
Tropical Andean forests host the highest plant biodiversity on Earth. Current rates of warming are three times higher than elsewhere in S. America. Therefore, climate change together with invasive migration by lowland species pose significant challenges to the diversity and functioning of montane forest in the future. Hence, the tropical Andes is a high-priority area in which to study the potential for tropical trees to acclimate their photosynthesis to changes in temperature.
There is now evidence for warm-edge range contraction in some high elevation tree species, suggesting a strong response to recent warming. Thus, to substantially advance predictions of how the productivity of tropical Andean forests will change in the future, as well as to assess impacts on biodiversity, it is essential to determine whether changes in species ranges are associated with abilities to physiologically acclimate to higher temperatures.
This project is part of an existing and exciting NERC funded project based in Colombia with aim to deliver a comprehensive understanding of thermal acclimation of key gas exchange processes and growth in montane Andean forest.
The aim of this PhD project is to determine the degree of thermal acclimation of photosynthesis, respiration of Andean forest species. The key hypotheses that will be tested are:
-The extent of thermal acclimation of montane tropical forest species will be less than that observed in temperate and high-latitude ecosystems.
-Acclimation potentials of species in montane zones will be positively related to the range of temperatures the species can grow under.
The project will use three common garden experiments established along an elevation gradient in the Colombian Andes. Specifically, we are planting 1200 trees (400 at each of 3 sites, Fig1-Fig2) covering 60% of the most dominant montane forest species in the Colombian Andes. The successful candidate will use a portable photosynthesis system to take leaf level measurements of photosynthesis and respiration at the three sites from a selection of species after 12-18 months of planting in order to quantify whether juvenile montane forest species can acclimate to high temperatures and to what extent.
There is now evidence for warm-edge range contraction in some high elevation tree species, suggesting a strong response to recent warming. Thus, to substantially advance predictions of how the productivity of tropical Andean forests will change in the future, as well as to assess impacts on biodiversity, it is essential to determine whether changes in species ranges are associated with abilities to physiologically acclimate to higher temperatures.
This project is part of an existing and exciting NERC funded project based in Colombia with aim to deliver a comprehensive understanding of thermal acclimation of key gas exchange processes and growth in montane Andean forest.
The aim of this PhD project is to determine the degree of thermal acclimation of photosynthesis, respiration of Andean forest species. The key hypotheses that will be tested are:
-The extent of thermal acclimation of montane tropical forest species will be less than that observed in temperate and high-latitude ecosystems.
-Acclimation potentials of species in montane zones will be positively related to the range of temperatures the species can grow under.
The project will use three common garden experiments established along an elevation gradient in the Colombian Andes. Specifically, we are planting 1200 trees (400 at each of 3 sites, Fig1-Fig2) covering 60% of the most dominant montane forest species in the Colombian Andes. The successful candidate will use a portable photosynthesis system to take leaf level measurements of photosynthesis and respiration at the three sites from a selection of species after 12-18 months of planting in order to quantify whether juvenile montane forest species can acclimate to high temperatures and to what extent.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE/W503010/1 | 01/04/2021 | 31/03/2022 | |||
| 2072302 | Studentship | NE/W503010/1 | 01/01/2019 | 31/01/2023 | Andrew Cox |