Water-use strategies, survival potential and adaptation of conifer trees in the Swiss National Park under recent climatic changes
Olga Churakova (Sidorova), University of Geneva (CH)
Causes for mortality of mountain forests under climate change are poorly investigated on a metabolic scale. Our study investigated seasonal and long-term variabilities of water, concentrations and 13C of carbohydrates, and organic acids in needles of larch and mountain pine trees from the Swiss National Park at a compound-specific level. We found differences in the seasonal carbon concentrations and carbon dynamic in needles of helthy evergreen vs. deciduous conifer trees. Subsequent decrease of carbohydrates was detected in needles of declining pine trees, which may cause tree mortality.