Tree water use under changing snow/rain seasonality: The forgotten tree-induced upward preferential flow in boreal soils

The project Tree water use under changing snow/rain seasonality: The forgotten tree-induced upward fast flow in boreal soils aims to go beyond the state-of-the-art in boreal tree water use (TWU) research by (1) challenging the fundamental TWU assumption of no water isotope fractionation along the boreal TWU pathway, (2) unravelling the hydrological importance of the forgotten upwards preferential flow in boreal forest soil, and (3) being the first to systematically consider biophysical impacts of changing snow and rain on TWU from the root level to individual level.

Under the supervision of Prof.

Hannu Marttila (University of Oulu), these aims will be supported by an innovative experiment set-up (high-resolution water isotopes and bi-directional fluxes on roots to stems) and up-to-date methodology and instruments (in-situ non-destructive Water Isotope Probes, Picarro L2140-I isotope analyzer, heat-plus-method sap flow sensors), where the research will be conducted in a boreal forest near the Arctic Circle on three typical boreal species with manipulated snowpack depth.

During the project, my expertise in (eco)hydrology will expand from temperate forests and sap flow techniques to boreal forests and stable water isotope techniques, which will be a stepping stone in my long-term academic career plan for becoming a leading and independent ecohydrologist.

Meanwhile, my know-how in tree transpiration and tree ecophysiology complements the expertise in northern hydrology at UOULU.

The proposed dissemination, exploitation, and communication measures and activities will significantly impact the ecohydrology community and will subsequently contribute to improving sustainable-use, climate-smart forest and water resource management benefitting forest and water resource related stakeholders and lowering climate risks for society.