Research projects
Climatic vulnerabilities of ecosystems inferred from response function analysis of satellite data
Vulnerability of trees, plant populations, and ecosystems can be inferred through historical biology approaches that rely on records of past response to climate variability and climate extremes. The approach is also preferred when trends over time are confounded with other factors, such as tree age in dendrochronology research. Here, we carry out a classical dendroclimatological response function analysis, but using a remotely sensed cumulative Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) in lieu of tree ring width to determine limiting climatic factors for tree or vegetation growth. The method readily reveals easily interpretable response functions, and identifies climatic limiting factors at high spatial and temporal resolution. One of the most striking findings of this approach is a high spatial diversity of vegetation response, both in areas of high and low topographic complexity.
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A Record-Setting 2021 Heat Wave Had a Significant Temporary Impact on BC forest
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Adapting reforestation programs to observed and projected climate change:
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Alberta Seed Source Selection Tool (3ST)
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Should we plant trees further north or at higher elevation to compensate for climate warming?
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Adaptive limitations of white spruce populations to drought imply vulnerability to climate change
A cost‐effective climate change adaptation strategy for the forestry sector is to move seed sources to more northern and higher elevation planting sites as part of ongoing reforestation programs. This is meant to match locally adapted populations with anticipated environments, but adaptive traits do not always show population differences suitable to mitigate climate change impacts. Here, we use a 40‐year‐old provenance experiment that has been exposed to severe drought periods in 1999 and 2002 to retrospectively investigate drought response and the adaptive capacity of white spruce populations across their boreal range. Results showed that provenances conformed to approximately the same growth rates under drought conditions and had similar resilience metrics. The study highlights that population differentiation in adaptive capacity is species‐ and trait‐specific, and we provide a counterexample for drought tolerance traits, where assisted migration prescriptions may be ineffective to mitigate climate change impacts.
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No-analogue ecological communities since the Last Glacial Maximum for North America
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