What is TreeNet?
TreeNet is an international monitoring and research network in which automated tree stem radius fluctuations measured with point dendrometers are analyzed in terms of forest ecosystem responses to climate change. A continuous stream of microclimate and tree physiology data provides realtime information on tree water relations and tree growth.
TreeNet aims to link research results from carbon flux sites with dendrometer data to entire landscapes. Further it provides online-tools to its partners to automatically interpret stem radius fluctuations in terms of tree water deficit, wood growth and related indicators for forest ecosystem carbon sink and drought stress.
The project was initiated by Roman Zweifel, WSL and Werner Eugster, ETHZ in 2009 and is supported by an increasing number of partners.
Where is TreeNet active?
TreeNet currently consist of two sub-networks: TreeNet Switzerland and TreeNet Europe. TreeNet Switzerland includes two super sites with eddy covariance and point dendrometer infrastructure and a point dendrometer network all over Switzerland (link to the Swiss sites). TreeNet Europe is currently under construction and will include sites from Finland, Sweden, Poland The Netherlands, Czechia, Germany and Switzerland. New partners are very welcome.
What methods are used?
• Point dendrometers to continuously measuring stem radius changes (see Methods for further details)
• Eddy covariance technique to quantify carbon and water exchange between forests and atmosphere.
• Microclimate measurements of air and soil.
• Various site-specific ecophysiological methods to quantify sap flow, soil respiration, stem CO2 etc.
Interested?
If you have further questions or would like to join TreeNet, please contact us.
