Finished Projects

High resolution growth reactions of forest trees as bioindicators for the variation of climate at various elevation levels in south-western Germany

On various sites along an elevation gradiant from the low elevation  of the upper Rhine valley (200 m above sea-level) up to the high elevation  of the southern Black Forest (1230 m above sea-level), growth behaviour and growth reactions of Norway spruce, European beech and Scots pine are being analysed. Data derived from growth, meteorological, climatological and soil hydrological measurements are evaluated for the purposes of being able to describe reactions of forest trees to environmental conditions (bioindication). Together with the Institut   für  Mikrosystemtechnik Freiburg biosensors are developed which   make it possible  to investigate growth reactions with high time resolution,   and with low destructive  methods. The possibilities and limits of impedance-spectroscopy  are investigated  in order to develop new tools for field studies of   growth.
 

Using tree rings as  an  archive  for environmental conditions of Norway Spruce

Environmental influences as for example changes in climate and weather in competition, and also in abiotic and biotic influences have an effect on the anatomic structure, as well as on the physical and chemical properties of tree rings. Tree rings can be dated back over many centuries. Therefore, they offer a valuable insight into former environmental conditions. The aim of this research at the Institute for Forest Growth is to identify the information stored in these tree rings and to make this information available for environmental research. For this purpose, methods for the preparation of large surfaces of cross sections, computer-supported measurements of cell structure with optical and mechanical tools as well as physical and chemical properties in high spatial resolution are used and their diagnostic value for dendroecological research topics is checked.

NATSCAN

"2-step inventory system for high-precision assessment in environmental monitoring" Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research this research project aims to investigate the use of airborne as well as terrestrial laser scanners for forest and landscape inventories. The Institute for Forest Growth is responsible for the following tasks: Development of efficient 3-dimensional pattern recognition and object classification software based on terrestrial laser scanner data and implementation of algorithms for user-defined applications and visualization of the results (contact: Tobias Aschoff and  Ursula Kretschmer). Investigation of the potential for quality grading on standing trees and comparison between external log defects and corresponding internal irregularities in wood quality (contact: Christian Schütt). Measuring of single-tree-, stand- and terrain- data for forest inventory on a local level with terrestrial laser scanning. Using these results, basic information for the economic and ecological development of forests can be achieved. (Michael Thies). Merging of airborne and terrestrial laser scanner data based upon an oracle data base with cartridge (Daniel Winterhalder). Coordination of the whole network of partners: Michael Thies.

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Terrestrial Laserscanning for efficient and exact recording of forest stands

Within the MatchWood project - "From tree to product: Forestal value added by optimising prozess in nature-orientated cultivation" - the Institute for Forest Growth develops methods for efficient and exact assessment of forest stands by using terrestrial laserscanning data.
The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
Detailed information are at: www.matchwood.de

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