Treeline advances in a changing climate: understanding how climate affects reproduction and early life stages in Black spruce

Northern high-latitude ecosystems experience disproportionate levels of climate change. This strongly affects the previously temperature-limited vegetation in the sub-arctic tundra. Treelines, the boundaries between forests and the tree-less tundra, are expected to shift northwards in response. However, only half of the examined treelines have advanced since 1900. Why warming is associated with treeline advances in some but not other populations remains unresolved. The availability of viable seeds, may explain lagged responses to climate change. Yet, we have a poor understanding of how seed production and seed viability vary in sub-arctic forests. In this project we will investigate how climate controls seed production and viability in black spruce. Moreover, the project will be used to establish a longer-term experiment to test our hypothesis that the capacity for black spruce treeline advance is determined by their ability to produce sufficient viable seeds. The project is expected to result in 2 publications.

Faculty Supervisor:

Carissa Brown

Student:

Partner:

University of Liverpool

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Life Sciences (not health); Sustainability & the Environment; Forestry

University:

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Program: