Biomass allocation of boreal trees in response to climate and soil interactions

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The overarching goal of my research program is to better understand tree growth and carbon accumulation in relation to soil and climate in the boreal mixedwood forest. In particular, the proposed research projects will study how trees allocate biomass to roots, leaves and stems and how this biomass allocation varies by soil, climate and most importantly, their interactions. By studying how trees grow in relation to resources, more reliable predictions of future growth under different climatic conditions will be possible. Specific research projects will examine different scales (ranging from microsite to landscape) and species biomass allocation responses to climate and soil interactions. Objective 1 will address biomass allocation of trembling aspen across the landscape, Objective 2 will examine the site level spatial patterns of resource availability and biomass allocation in jack pine, and Objective 3 will focus on biomass allocation of juvenile white spruce to experimentally manipulated resource conditions. The proposed research will help ensure the sustainability of forest lands by addressing a critical uncertainty in forest management, growth patterns and biomass allocation of trees on different site types. Specifically, this research will improve the application of site specific silvicultural tools, allow for better estimates of carbon accumulation in forests, and aid in the development of appropriate climate adaptation programs.