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Opinion paper: Effects of simulated soil temperature on stem diameter increment of Pinus cembra at the alpine timberline: a new approach based on root zone roofing

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Abstract

For assessing the impact of soil temperature on tree growth in remote areas such as the alpine timberline, we introduce a new method for soil temperature manipulations. This new approach is based on roofing of the rooting zone and allows either soil cooling or soil warming without significantly influencing soil water availability and the above ground microclimate.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Austrian Science Fund: Project No. FWF P18819-B03 “Temperature dependence of Pinus cembra (L.) stem growth and respiration along an altitudinal transect”.

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Correspondence to G. Wieser.

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Communicated by R. Matyssek.

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Gruber, A., Wieser, G. & Oberhuber, W. Opinion paper: Effects of simulated soil temperature on stem diameter increment of Pinus cembra at the alpine timberline: a new approach based on root zone roofing. Eur J Forest Res 129, 141–144 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-009-0305-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-009-0305-3

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