CO2 fertilization and tree growth
Photo by Kelly Heilman
How do concurrent changes in CO2, precipitation, and temperature jointly affect tree ring growth at a temperate savanna-forest boundary? Specifically, does rising CO2 and water use efficiency enhance tree growth by reducing drought sensitivity, or do increased temperatures drive growth declines?
I developed Bayesian models of tree growth and water use efficiency to predict the joint response to three concurrent drivers of global environmental change: precipitation, temperature, and CO2. I also quantified how biological differences in stand structure (open canopy or closed canopy) can mediate growth and physiological responses to environmental changes.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
My research aims to understand and forecast the response of vegetation to multiple environmental changes from the tree to biome scales. This ecological forecasting approach allows us make predictions about future vegetation, with the overall goal of managing systems for a resilient future.