Forests
The forest beyond the forest, science and nature at CREAF
At CREAF we are moved by ecology, but also by art. PThat's why we took part in a day organised by the artists Agustín Ortiz Herrera and Carola Moujan, residents of our Can Balasc station, in collaboration with the creative factory La Escocesa. The day allowed us to reflect on the meaning and significance of the forest and its elements in the social, historical, symbolic and biological spheres.
Climate change-induced decline in winds could delay leaf-fall at high latitudes
Wind dynamics need to be factored into studies that measure the impact of climate change on the rhythms of nature. A study published in PNAS and co-authored by CREAF-based CSIC researcher Josep Peñuelas concludes that a decline in winds is currently benefiting plant productivity.
New proposals to understand how the planet's vegetation works
An international team -where Josep Peñuelas has participated- explores the factors that most affect plant behavior and how they can be included in predictive models to improve them. The result, published in Nature Plants wants to improve understanding of the global carbon cycle and ecosystem services and their future if forests change due to climate change.
A year of respite for Catalonia’s forests
With spring almost upon us, CREAF’s experts are reporting that this year could be a chance for Catalonia’s forests to recover from accumulated past droughts and the devastating effects of the pine processionary. There will be no let-up for the territory’s undergrowth, however, with the box tree moth’s continuing expansion leaving just 20% of box plants with new growth.
Trees’ risk of climate change-induced death is reflected in their wood
According to a study led by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the way trees have responded to drought in the past could be a key indicator of their risk of mortality. The study examined growth rings to compare that response in dead and surviving trees.
Some plants do not reproduce every year because of nutrient scarcity
A study involving three CREAF researchers has found that plants with low nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in their leaves do not reproduce every year to enable them to reproduce on a huge scale in years in which conditions are right. Oaks, holm oaks and beeches are examples of trees that behave in such a way.
Local climate causes trees around Europe to leaf at different times
At this time of year, deciduous trees across Europe are losing the last of their leaves. When will they come into leaf again? A study just published in Nature Communications has shown that while year-to-year leafing date variations can be explained by heat accumulation, local climate is a key factor in geographical variations.
New forests grow faster but are more sensitive to climate change
A study led by CREAF has found that new forests growing on abandoned rural land are able to capture more carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere than long-established forests. This effect could be temporary, however, as the wood of their trees is less dense, making them more vulnerable to extreme climate events.