Mechanistic approach towards the analysis of tree mortality in Belgian forests impacted by extreme weather events

editorial reviewed ; Tree mortality is a key driver of forest dynamics, and it is expected to become more common in the future as a result of climate change. Episodes of tree mortality associated with drought and heat stress have been reported in forests over the last decades and are expected to increase under ongoing climate change. Forests are the main contributors to the terrestrial carbon sink which can mitigate atmospheric CO2 rise and reduce global warming. However, tree mortality reduces this carbon sink and may even turn it to a source. Tree mortality at the ecosystem level remains cha... Mehr ...