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8.01.11 – Impact of wind on forests
Unit 8.01.11
Coordinator:
Steve Mitchell, Canada
Steve Mitchell, Canada
About Unit
This group of international researchers focuses on the mechanics of wind interactions with trees, the biology of acclimative growth, and the ecological impacts of wind on forest ecosystems. Our members work together on collaborative projects, many of which focus on the development of process models for tree and stand-level windthrow risk prediction. We have held a three-day conference every 5 years and are now moving to every 4 years. The purpose of this Unit is to promote knowledge exchange and collaborative interactions.
State of Knowledge
Group members have developed non-spatial mechanistic windthrow risk models for uniform-structured stands, and tree-level models of tree-behaviour under load. Hot topics include: characterizing wind flow over complex terrain and through forest canopies; incorporating spatial and structural complexity in windthrow risk models; developing biomechanical models of acclimative growth; and characterizing ecosystem responses to recurring wind disturbances.
Topics under investigation include:
Atmospheric boundary layer flow over rough surfaces | Wind climatology |
Airflow over forest stands, edges and clearings | Topography effects in wind loading on trees |
Airflow over natural shelter belts | Physical modelling of airflow around trees |
Mechanics of trees under wind loading | Failure criteria of trees |
Acclimative growth response of trees | Ecological dynamics and strong winds |
Silviculture and harvest design to reduce wind damage | Tree level management to reduce wind damage |
Post-storm damage responses |
State of knowledge summaries:
- Quine, C. P. and Gardiner, B. A. (2006). Understanding how the interaction of wind and trees results in windthrow, stem breakage and canopy gap formation. In Johnson, E. (ed) Plant disturbance ecology: the process and the response. Academic Press. In press
- Proceedings of 2003 Karlsruhe Conference:
- http://www.ifh.uni-karlsruhe.de/science/aerodyn/bilder_orginale/Wind/Contents%20Wind1-14.pdf
- Proceedings of 1998 Joensuu Conference:
- http://gis.joensuu.fi/IUFRO1998/foreco.html
Archive | Send comments to Steve Mitchell (Coordinator)
