Can tree species mixing improve resilience and productivity of boreal forests?

The project aims at better understanding the role the stand composition may play in increasing resilience of the Quebec forests to future climate variability. We propose that by increasing the degree “mixing” of different species within forest stands, we can make forest more adapted to climatically unfavourable conditions, those frequency may increase in the future. We also argue that such increased degree of species diversity in the forest may positively affect its productivity. We will test these hypotheses and will attempt to understand the underlying mechanisms of observed effects by using an array of methods looking at short- and long-term records of tree growth, soil microbial composition of the soil, and the vegetation structure of the forest floor.

Faculty Supervisor:

Igor Drobyshev;Yves Bergeron;Nicole Fenton

Student:

Partner:

Coopérative Forestière des Hautes-Laurentides;Ouranos Inc;Norbord Inc (La Sarre, QC)

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Accommodation and food services; Agriculture; Professional, scientific and technical services; Public administration

University:

Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue

Program: