A5023264863- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Plant and animal studies
- Plant Water Relations and Carbon Dynamics
- Forest Management and Policy
- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Tree-ring climate responses
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
- Forest ecology and management
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Environmental Conservation and Management
- Bryophyte Studies and Records
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Environmental Philosophy and Ethics
- Lichen and fungal ecology
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Infrared Target Detection Methodologies
- Peatlands and Wetlands Ecology
- Cryospheric studies and observations
- Plant responses to elevated CO2
- Tree Root and Stability Studies
Ghent University
2020-2025
Ghent University Hospital
2023-2024
Research Institute for Nature and Forest
2024
Abstract Via sheltering, decoupling and buffering mechanisms, tree canopies have the capacity to mitigate impacts of multiple global‐change drivers on below‐canopy processes organisms in forests. As a result, an important potential as nature‐based solution. The optimal combinations forest canopy structural attributes jointly received little attention date. To help solving this research gap, here we review how modulate effects four drivers—climate warming, drought, air pollution biological...
Climate change is commonly assumed to induce species’ range shifts toward the poles. Yet, other environmental changes may affect geographical distribution of species in unexpected ways. Here, we quantify multidecadal European forest plants and link these key drivers biodiversity change: climate change, atmospheric deposition (nitrogen sulfur), canopy dynamics. Surprisingly, westward were 2.6 times more likely than northward ones. Not but nitrogen-mediated colonization events, possibly...
Summary Forests harbour large spatiotemporal heterogeneity in canopy structure. This variation drives the microclimate and light availability at forest floor. So far, we do not know how sub‐canopy temperature interactively mediate impact of macroclimate warming on understorey communities. We therefore assessed functional response plant communities to addition a full factorial experiment installed temperate deciduous forests across Europe along natural microclimate, gradients. Furthermore,...
Abstract Forest biodiversity world‐wide is affected by climate change, habitat loss and fragmentation, today 20% of the forest area located within 100 m a edge. Still, edges harbour substantial amount terrestrial biodiversity, especially in understorey. The functional phylogenetic diversity have never been studied simultaneously at continental scale, spite their importance for forests' functioning communities' resilience to future change. We assessed nine metrics taxonomic, understorey plant...
Species are altering their phenology to track warming temperatures. In forests, understorey plants experience tree canopy shading resulting in light and temperature conditions, which strongly deviate from open habitats. Yet, little is known about responses forest microclimates. We recorded flowering onset, peak, end duration of 10 temperate plant species two mesocosm experiments understand how affected by sub-canopy this response modulated illumination, related change. Furthermore, we...
Abstract Biological communities are reshuffling owing to species range shifts in response climate change. This process inherently leads novel assemblages of interacting species. Yet, how climatic change and local dynamics biotic interactions jointly affect is still poorly understood. We combine a unique long‐term transplant competition‐exclusion experiment with distribution models (SDMs) test the effects on understorey under European temperate forests. Using time series 18 years...
Abstract Aim The microclimate and light conditions on the forest floor are strongly modified by tree canopies. Therefore, we need to better consider micro‐environment when quantifying trait–environment relationships for understorey plants. Here, quantify between micro‐environmental plant functional traits at community level, including intraspecific trait variation, their relationship with air temperature, soil properties. Location Deciduous temperate forests across Europe. Time period 2018....
Abstract Predicting the fate of threatened populations remains a challenge in conservation biology. The study genetic and demographic time series is crucial to unravel role population history, anthropogenic disturbance actions on current patterns. However, such studies are still rare species. In this study, we integrate quarter century (capture–mark–recapture) (microsatellites) data for globally endangered Turdus helleri (Taita Thrush), songbird endemic fragmented cloud forest Taita Hills,...
Quantifying forest microclimate dynamics is vital for improving our understanding of ecosystem processes, biodiversity patterns, and carbon sequestration. While existing mechanistic models effectively simulate conditions within cores, they often fail to capture the complexities inherent edges. This limitation increasingly critical as fragmentation creates more edge environments, profoundly influencing gradients.To address this gap, we developed a high-resolution model capable simulating...
Abstract Aim Climate change causes species to shift their distributions. Individual species, however, greatly vary in capacity track the macroclimatic temperature increase due differences demography and dispersal. To better predict range shifts climate we need a complementary integration of long‐term empirical data predictive modelling. Location Belgium North‐West Europe. Taxon Hyacinthoides non‐scripta ¸ forest understorey plants. Methods Complementing distribution models with demographic...
Abstract Aim Variation in plant defence traits has been frequently assessed along large‐scale macroclimatic clines. In contrast, local‐scale changes the environment have recently proposed to also modulate traits. Yet, relative importance of drivers at both scales never tested. We aimed quantify environmental inherent large and small spatial on physical chemical tolerance herbivory understorey species deciduous forests Europe. Location Deciduous Time period Present. Major taxa studied Forest...
The amount of forest edges is increasing globally due to fragmentation and land-use changes. However, edge effects on the soil seed bank temperate forests are still poorly understood. Here, we assessed at contrasting spatial scales across Europe quantified extent which can preserve seeds specialist plants.
Climate change is pushing species towards and potentially beyond their critical thermal limits. The extent to which can cope with temperatures exceeding limits still uncertain. To better assess species' responses warming, we compute the warming tolerance (ΔT
Monitoring climate change, and its impacts on ecological, agricultural, other societal systems, is often based temperature data derived from official weather stations. Yet, these do not capture most microclimates, influenced by soil, vegetation topography, operating at spatial scales relevant to the majority of organisms Earth. Detecting attributing change with confidence certainty will only be possible a better quantification changes in forests, croplands, mountains, shrublands, remote...
Quercus spp. are one of the most important tree genera in temperate deciduous forests terms biodiversity, economic and cultural perspectives. However, natural regeneration oaks, depending on specific environmental conditions, is still not sufficiently understood. Oak dynamics impacted by climate change, but these impacts will depend local forest management light temperature conditions. Here, we studied germination, survival seedling performance (i.e. aboveground biomass, height, root collar...
The climate is changing rapidly, provoking species to shift their ranges poleward and upslope. We currently lack a mechanistic understanding of the effect warmer temperatures on plants, especially for seasonally distinct patterns. Spring geophytes are emblematic forest plants that have short aboveground lifecycle in first half year thus particularly sensitive winter spring warming. set up warming experiment with separate combined seedlings three European geophytes: Anemone nemorosa,...