Research Group
Ecophysiology
Our group studies abiotic and biotic limitation of plants with focus on trees (seedlings to adults), shrubs and dwarf shrubs, predominantly in alpine ecosystems. We aim at a better understanding of the physiology of plants in their environment. Based on field studies and laboratory experiments, we combine physiological, biophysical, anatomical and biochemical analyzes to improve our knowledge of plant ecophysiology under current conditions and future global change. Alpine plants thereby can serve as model organisms, enabling general insights in plant physiology and ecophysiology.

Spruce seedling

Ultrasonic sensor mounted on Pinus cembra branch

Canopy crane for sampling in forest crown
Main research topics
- Plant hydraulics (hydraulic efficiency and safety, capacitance, water uptake and loss)
- Abiotic stress (drought, frost, fire)
- Biotic stress (fungal infections, pathogen defense)
- Applied research (urban and crop trees, recultivation, fertilization, methodical developments)
Projects
- Green roof: habitats facing climate change and biodiversity crisis, 2022-2025
- DendroSmart, University of Innsbruck, 2021–2022
- Tree fungal resistance, Research center Berglandwirtschaft, 2021
- Relevance of green stem tissues to hydraulics of urban trees, FWF, 2021–2025
- Acoufollow: Xylem refilling at the treeline, FWF, 2021–2024
- Legacy effects after summer and winter drought, FWF, 2019–2023
- Drought acclimation and recovery of Beech and Norway spruce, FWF, 2019–2022
Academic staff
Administrative and technical staff
- Birgit Dämon
Emeriti and retired staff
- Helmut Bauer
Research Assistants
- Andreas Bär
- Losso Adriano
- Feng Feng
- Timo Knüver
- Carlotta Musso
- Lukas Hilzensauer
- Sarah Kleiner
- Daniel Nussbaumer
- Andrea Schwarzl