Climate change and growth dynamics of high-elevation plants: from Himalayan conifers to alpine forbs

Samresh RAI

Disertační práce

Investigating climatic infulence on the growth of conifers and alpine forbs (comprehending its effect on the recruitment of the latter) along elevation gradients of the Himalayas.

Abstract:

This research investigates the long-term effects of climate change on the growth of Himalayan conifers and alpine forbs. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the impacts of climate warming on high-elevation growth forms and presents dendrochronology and herbchronology as tools for studying their long-term growth dynamics. Chapters 2-4 analyze the responses of Himalayan conifers to climate warming across different spatial and temporal scales, using multiple growth parameters. Chapter 5 employs a mechanistic model to estimate daily growth rates and potential shifts in cambial activity, while Chapter 6 examines the growth determinants of the alpine cushion plant Silene acaulis in the Swiss Alps. Chapter 7 synthesizes the main findings. In summary, this thesis enhances our understanding of how climate change influences plant growth in high-elevation ecosystems and points to new directions for future research.

Keywords

Tree-ring width, Earlywood, Latewood, Maximum latewood density, Global warming, Tsuga dumosa, Abies pindrow, Process-based model, Growth rate, Silene acaulis

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 24. 9. 2025

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedoucí: doc. Mgr. Jiří Doležal, Ph.D.

JIHOČESKÁ UNIVERZITA V ČESKÝCH BUDĚJOVICÍCH

Přírodovědecká fakulta

Doktorský studijní program / obor:
Botany / Botany