Response and vulnerability of tropical rainforest plants to experimental drought (Old ID 20609)
Role
Chief Investigator
Description
How will tropical forests respond if droughts should increase in the future? In a globally unique experiment, we will induce artificial rough in an Australian tropical rainforest and then use a canopy crane to assess plant responses at all vertical forest layers. We will contrast demographic and physiological responses of an array of plant species and functional groups, compared to nearby experimental-control plots where tree growth, composition, soil water and atmospheric exchange have been monitored since 1999. Drought responses for key species and functional groups will be compared with their distributions across regional rainfall gradients to yield novel insights into potential rainforest responses to future climate change.
Date
01 Jan 2013 - 31 Dec 2017
Project Type
GRANT
Keywords
rainforest ecology;climate change adaptations;Ecophysiology
Funding Body
Australian Research Council (ARC)
Amount
365000
Project Team
Paul Nelson;William Laurance;Joseph Holtum