Dr. Thomas Spiegelberger

Our project targets three long-term mountain research areas located in Eastern Pyrenees (Spain, Cadi-Moxeri), South-Western Alps (France, Reserve naturel de Hauts-Plateaux du Vercors) and Eastern Alps (Austria, Stubai Valley), representing contrasting historical and climatic contexts.

First, we will produce consistent and high-quality land cover and land cover change maps from 1950-onwards and model corresponding changes in Plant Functional Diversity (PFD). Our hypothesis is that PFD will provide a link between the variety of environmental drivers in complex terrains and carbon-cycle related ecosystem processes.

Second, we will provide a synthesis of on-ground measurements of carbon stocks and fluxes available in the three investigated areas. The database will be completed by using moderate resolution remotely-sensed data to characterize the seasonal and multiannual dynamics of vegetation. Then, we will evaluate the ability of a widely used ecosystem-process model (ORCHIDEE) to reproduce components of carbon dynamics in complex terrains. A new parameterization of ORCHIDEE featuring continuous changes of PFD along environmental gradients will be tested.

Third, we will develop downscaled, regional climate and land use change scenarios and examine their impacts on carbon stocks and fluxes for the 21^st century.