Started research on the experimental sites
Due to the slow development of forest ecosystems, no research results of the experimental sites are available yet. On the longer run, this experiment will potentially yield very valuable outputs. Several research projects have already started on the site, they are listed below:
| Do mixed forests have a higher resistance to leaf herbivores? | |
|---|---|
| Starting point | 2011 |
| Goal | To check whether tree species in more mixed plots exhibit a higher resistance to leaf feeding invertebrates. It is hypothesized that invertebrate populations will show a stronger development in monocultures. Leaf damage by invertebrates will be evaluated in the experimental plots on two locations (Zedelgem and Gedinne), and data will be processed statistically. |
| Kind of research | M.Sc. thesis |
| More information | Prof. Kris Verheyen |
| Monitoring of survival and growth rate of trees in FORBIO sites | |
|---|---|
| Starting point | 2011 |
| Goal | To check the survival and growth rate of trees at the plots and to explain possible patterns in mortality or growth differentiation (link with tree diversity level?). |
| Kind of research | Follow-up study, by Ghent University and University of Louvain-la-Neuve |
| More information | Prof. Kris Verheyen and Prof. Quentin Ponette |
| Characterization of understorey vegetation of FORBIO sites | |
|---|---|
| Starting point | 2011 |
| Goal | To make an inventory of the vegetation on the different FORBIO-sites. In this way, a foundation and a basis of comparison is layed for future research. |
| Kind of research | Follow-up study, by Ghent University |
| More information | Prof. Kris Verheyen |
Related research
Besides the research on the FORBIO sites, there is also related research going on about forest biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Some examples are listed below:
| Nutritional interactions in mixed forest: occurrence and mechanisms | |
|---|---|
| Starting point | 2010 |
| Goal |
This research will focus on the quantification of nutritional interactions in mixed-species forest stands and on the corresponding traits involved at tree level. It will combine statistical and functional approaches in order to reach three goals: 1) To assess the relative importance of site versus tree species composition in the mineral nutrition of two target broadleaf tree species (Quercus Petraea Lieblein and Fagus sylvatica L.), a correlation analysis between selected nutritional variables and neighbourhood tree species composition will be carried out on several sites. More precisely, two nutritional variables have been selected: leaf nutrient content and nutrient accumulation on resins placed at the interface between mineral and holorganic horizons at least over one year. 2) To investigate the diversity of tree nutrient strategies at the tree level by measuring functional indicators (Nutrient Use Efficiency, resorption efficiency and internal nutrient distribution) on a range of tree species associated with the various successional stages of selected successions on mesic acid soils of Western-Central Europe. Results will allow interpreting possible correlations observed in 1). 3) To link tree nutrient strategies with a set of traits defining the niche occupied by the corresponding species |
| Kind of research | PhD research, at University of Louvain-La-Neuve |
| More information | Jordan Guiz |
| Promoters | Prof. Quentin Ponette and Prof. Kris Verheyen |
FunDivEUROPE
The FORBIO project is related to the FunDivEUROPE project, a large-scale project about the functional significance of forest biodiversity in Europe that combines the strengths of experimental (like FORBIO), observational and modelling approaches.
Within the framework of FunDivEUROPE a lot of research on the theme has recently started.
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Are you interested to do research within the FORBIO framework? Contact one of our partners to talk about research options! |
