Forest Responses to Climate Change

This lecture explores the impact of global warming on forest ecosystems, focusing on drought-induced tree mortality and the mechanisms leading to it. It discusses the role of high temperatures and vapor pressure deficit in triggering tree mortality, as well as the feedback between climate change and ecosystem services. The presentation also covers the Pfynwald irrigation experiment in Switzerland, investigating the effects of heat on canopy temperature and carbon uptake capacity. Additionally, it delves into the relationship between forest diversity and carbon cycling, highlighting the importance of tree interactions and physiological responses to climate stress.