Mikroklimatisches Regenerationspotential
Land-Surface Dynamics Following an Experimental Wildfire: Subproject on Microclimatic Regeneration Potential
Universität Göttingen, Junior Research Group Landscape Resilience, Dr. Birgitta PutzenlechnerMicroclimate and vegetation before and after the fire
Once the fire has been extinguished, the major challenge for vegetation begins: on the exposed burn site, the soil and near-surface air can heat up considerably, moisture is lost more quickly, and protective vegetation structures are absent. At the same time, regeneration is already beginning.It is precisely this interplay between microclimate and vegetation development that we, the Landscape Resilience Junior Research Group , investigate before and after the fire. Small sensors continuously measure temperature and soil moisture. At the same time, we survey the burn sites using drone-based photogrammetry and LiDAR to map vegetation structure, fire severity, and the spatial development of vegetation at high resolution. This allows us to track where particularly hot and dry microsites emerge, where vegetation begins to recover first, and whether the new vegetation progressively buffers extreme conditions.
We are particularly interested in the regeneration potential of the burn sites: which conditions provide favourable starting conditions for young trees planted after the fire? In this way, we directly link microclimate and remote sensing of vegetation to the question of how successfully forests can recover after a fire.
Part of our research can also be followed live through up-to-date measurements from the study area: Goslar FFR Lab – Climate Monitoring
Kontinuierliche Messungen des Mikroklimas auf der Versuchsfläche (Fotos: Dr. Jonas Fierke)
Contact:
Dr. Birgitta Putzenlechner
Büsgenweg 1
37077 Göttingen
birgitta.putzenlechner@uni-goettingen.de