Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Forests are structurally and compositionally complex systems that show dynamic and emergent properties such as adaptation and resilience to biotic and abiotic stressors. Many studies have been done recently in natural and common garden experiments to better understand the role of tree species diversity in the functioning of forest ecosystems at the stand scale. However, the effects and importance of variation in tree distribution, composition and functional traits spatially and temporally within stands in various types of biomes have not been researched. In this NSERC discovery, I intend to use a common garden experiment, permanent plots established in natural forests, and complex simulation models to investigate how variations in tree distribution, composition and functional traits across spatial and temporal scales affect both the functioning as well as resistance and resilience to disturbances of forest ecosystems in various biomes. In a common garden experiment, I will investigate how horizontal and vertical spatial variations in tree distribution, composition and functional traits affect tree species mortality, growth, and resistance and resilience to environmental and biotic stresses. In the natural forest, I will use data measured over the last 40 years in permanent plots where all trees are mapped as well as information on tree composition and functional traits to determine how tree mortality, stand growth, and resistance and resilience to climate and biotic factors are influenced by structurally and compositionally complex forest stands over time. Finally, I will use simulation modelling at stand scales to evaluate what stand horizontal and vertical spatial configurations in terms of tree species composition and functional traits are more productive and most resistant and resilient to single and multiple disturbances induced by global changes. This research program is a continuation of my previous NSERC discoveries aimed at gaining a better basic understanding of how tree species composition and distribution across both temporal and spatial scales affects the functioning, resistance, and resilience of such a complex system.