Diego Dierick

PhD project


Tree growth and water use in a multi-species reforestation and farming system in the Philippines

For the reforestation of sites formerly covered by tropical rain forest, the water use at the tree and stand level becomes an increasingly important criteria. The species selection is often hampered by limited species-level information and the differences in age and environment under which it was generated. In the Philippines, plantations were established that are composed of more than 100 native and exotic tree species which in their natural environment occupy different successional positions. This project proposes (i) to analyse the growth and water use of a large number of co-occurring tree species belonging to different groups (exotics / natives; early successional / late successional) and (ii) the water balance of the species rich stands in comparison to other land use types. The methods to be applied include sap flow techniques, stomatal conductance measurements, soil moisture and micro-meteorological analyses, and model applications. The results shall evaluate the hydrological cycle in multi-species plantations and lead to recommendations for tree species selection in further reforestation activities.


Advisors:
Prof. Dr. D. Hölscher (Burckhardt-Institute, Dept. Tropical Silviculture and Forst Ecology, University of Göttingen)