On Thursday, March 13 @ 11am ET, join Cary Institute for a virtual scientific seminar by Dr. Angelica Patterson, Mt. Holyoke College.
The forests of the northeastern US are, globally, one of the fastest-growing terrestrial carbon sinks due to historical declines in large-scale agriculture, timber harvesting, and fire disturbance. However, shifting range distributions of tree species with warming air temperatures are altering forest community composition and carbon dynamics.
Researchers at Black Rock Forest, a temperate forest located in New York’s Hudson Highlands region, have documented the local extinction of two historically northern-ranged tree species and the establishment of eleven southern-ranged species. Although this forest is currently a carbon sink, tree migration resulting in species replacement may negatively affect its carbon storage potential.
To better understand the drivers behind climate-induced tree migration and its impact on forest carbon dynamics, the investigation of tree physiological responses to temperature is necessary, providing insight into which species may be better able to tolerate a warming climate. At Black Rock Forest, the physiological temperature responses of co-located tree species with differing range distributions (ie. northern, central, and southern) were measured and compared. Significant differences were found across species and range groups with evidence that suggests that centrally ranged species, such as Quercus rubra (northern red oak - the dominant tree species in this region), may be at a physiological disadvantage to their northern and southern ranged counterparts. Compounding factors, such as deer browsing, large-scale periodic disturbances (ie. ice storms), loss of fire, and pathogens, further impact oak health and survival and may drive species replacement that reduces northeast forests’ carbon storage potential.
Free and open to all. Registration required via Eventbrite.
