Effect of land-atmosphere coupling on vegetation behaviour

• Applicant: Dr. Stanislaus Josef Schymanski
• Subject Area: Atmospheric Science
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 514721519

This project investigates the effect of land-atmosphere (L-A) coupling on vegetation water use and photosynthesis. It integrates controlled laboratory and field experiments with continuous monitoring of within-canopy micro-meteorological conditions and plant drought stress, with the specific sub-objective to represent the role of land-atmosphere coupling in an optimality-based vegetation model. The project will support the LAFI research unit objectives O3, OS, and OE, by improving our understanding of stomatal control on transpiration and phosynthesis (O3), extending observations of L-A feedback down to the canopy air space (OS), and investigating the effect of extreme heat and/or drought on stomatal control and hence transpiration, with its ramifications for sensible heat flux and potential long-term effects due to heat damage to foliage. A specific focus will be put on the following project-specific sub-hypotheses: SH1) Vertical mixing of air increases leaf and canopy water use efficiency; SH2) Vertical mixing of air reduces plant heat stress (especially during dry periods), i.e., leaf temperatures are lower during periods with enhanced vertical mixing; SH3) Optimality-based vegetation dynamics and stomatal control improves simulation of transpiration, soil water dynamics and CO2 assimilation compared to conventional parameterizations of vegetation and stomatal dynamics.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 5639: Land-Atmosphere Feedback Initiative (LAFI)
• International Connection: Luxembourg
• Partner Organisation: Fonds National de la Recherche