Intra-annual growth dynamics of trees under a changing climate: Can the extension of the growing season compensate for summer drought stress in Central European forests?

Intra-annual growth dynamics of trees in Central Europe show remarkable responses to climate change. On the one hand, trees reduce their summer growth rates due to increasing drought stress. On the other hand, they significantly extend growing season duration in response to rising spring and autumn temperatures. However, the net impact of these trends on growth and the ecological state of forest ecosystems under future climate conditions remains unclear. In my lecture, I will present projected shifts in intra-annual growth patterns in Central Europe by the end of the 21st century under various SSP scenarios, considering rising temperatures and increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves.

Jan Tumajer is a dendrochronologist and forest ecologist. His main research interest is the response of tree growth to environmental instability across various temporal scales, from hourly to multicentennial. In his research, he combines empirical methods of wood formation monitoring with process-based models. During the academic year 2025/26, Jan Tumajer will be a Junior Fellow at the Alfried Krupp Wissenschaftskolleg Greifswald.

Moderation: Professor Dr. Jürgen Kreyling