In September, we had our last field campaign in our long-term heat and drought manipulation experiment. In 16 open-top chambers on the WSL main campus, we are studying how global warming combined with reduced precipitation will alter the physiology of beech and oak trees. The experiment started in 2018, and we are beginning to see strong treatment effects.
Many of us work on this experiment (Margaux, Eugénie, Laura, Christoph, Alex, and Charlotte), studying different aspects of tree functions, including photosynthetic and hydraulic properties, thermoregulation, or anatomical acclimation.
After a long field season, the measurements are finally finished, but all the lab work is starting. We are looking forward to a new field season next year and many exciting findings!