Subprojects

This research explores the diversity of beetle species in Swedish oak forests through the innovative use of biodiversity pheromones. The project aims to assess how environmental degradation influenced by human activities affects beetle populations across southern Sweden. By employing pheromone traps, the study will provide detailed insights into the geographical distribution and ecological preferences of these beetles, focusing on variations from north to south and east to west. Additionally, the impact of climate change on the range and diversity of these species will be examined, with particular attention to the implications for conservation and forest management.

Our investigation explores temporal growth patterns in Swedish Quercus species by analysing dendrochronological core samples from various locations. This study aims to determine if there have been any significant changes in the growth rates of oak trees due to climate change. We analysed data from over one hundred individual oak trees that originated between 1850 and 1970, employing two approaches: a decade-wise growth rate comparison and a focus on the first 30 years of growth. Our results indicate an increasing trend in growth rates, which could have substantial implications for forest management and climate change mitigation strategies.

In this project, we study the differential distribution and infestation rates of two cryptic species, Acrocercops brongniardellus and Acrocercops andreneli, on oak trees. Using COI barcoding, we delve into the complexities of species co-occurrence and the diversity of parasitoids affecting these populations.In collaboration with Ayco Tack, Tomas Roslin.

This research project investigates the genetic diversity and potential local adaptations within oak populations, explicitly focusing on Quercus robur at the northern limits of their range. By analysing patterns of genetic differentiation and gene flow, the study aims to understand how these trees might cope with and potentially adapt to rapid environmental changes due to global warming. This understanding is crucial for predicting future distribution shifts and conservation strategies, particularly in increasing climatic unpredictability.

This project investigates the intricate timing of life cycle events (phenology) and their alignment with food web interactions in oak forests across Sweden. We examine how the timing of oak budburst and senescence influences, and is influenced by, the activity patterns of herbivores and predators. Through field observations and ecological modelling, we aim to understand how these dynamics contribute to oak ecosystems’ overall health and stability, offering insights that can guide future conservation efforts. In collaboration with Ayco Tack, Tomas Roslin

Study on how the age of oak forests influences biodiversity, particularly focusing on species richness and composition across six key groups: insects, arachnids, springtails, lichens, bryophytes, and vascular plants. Despite high diversity across all forest ages, significant changes in species composition were noted only in some groups, underscoring the complex relationship between forest maturity and ecological diversity.

This project seeks to understand how soil nutrient levels, specifically nitrogen as indicated by the Ellenberg Nitrogen Index, affect the growth rates of oak species across Sweden. We use dendrochronological methods to elucidate the relationship between nitrogen availability and the growth of Quercus robur and Quercus petraea along a north-south gradient. This investigation highlights the significance of nitrogen in tree growth. It provides insights into how environmental factors such as latitude may influence oak development, crucial for forestry and conservation planning under changing climatic conditions.

Study involving three experimental oak stands established in 1995 at Askeby, Tånnö, and Vibyholm. This project evaluates the incidence of reproductive oaks, considering species variations (Skogsek, Bergek, and hybrids), geographical impacts (latitude and climate), genetic backgrounds (maternal genetic and epigenetic effects), and differences due to the trees’ origins (translocation/source population). Utilising detailed visual and statistical tools, we will display comprehensive data, including the proportion of flowering individuals and average trunk diameters, providing a clear visual representation of reproductive dynamics across these distinct stands.

We address key challenges in metabarcoding methodologies used to assess the biodiversity of terrestrial arthropods. These arthropods are vital to ecosystem health but are often misestimated due to taxonomic complexities. We refine metabarcoding techniques by evaluating size fractionation and utilizing biological spike-ins to improve species abundance estimates. 

Phytopathogens and phytophagous insects coexist within plant communities, often sharing host plants. This study examines how differences in pathogen infection rates influence the species richness, prevalence, and community structure of phytophagous insects at various scales—from individual leaves to entire regions. Using pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) as a model, we explore the impacts of powdery mildew infection across 24 sites in Sweden. Our findings suggest significant effects at local scales, but these do not consistently extend across more significant regional landscapes. This research provides insights into how pathogen dynamics may alter insect community composition and interaction with host plants, highlighting the complex interplay between different trophic levels in forest ecosystems.

In Collaboration with Ayco Tack.

This project investigates the latitudinal gradients of biodiversity and ecosystem services in Sweden’s protected and non-protected oak forest areas to inform climate-smart conservation strategies. By comparing plant and arthropod diversity and oak tree productivity across a range of latitudes, this study aims to understand how climate change and area protection interplay in influencing forest ecosystems.

The project involves a study of growth patterns and provenance in oaks, using data from a 25-year-long common garden experiment. Initiated in 1995, the study translocated over 6000 acorns from various locations across Sweden to three different stands. These stands, situated along a latitudinal gradient, provide insights into how geographical origin and environmental conditions influence tree growth. The focus is on assessing how oaks from different provenances adapt to new environments and examining the implications of these adaptations for their growth responses under changing climatic conditions.

This study assesses the success of reintroducing the Great Capricorn beetle, Cerambyx cerdo, by utilising radio telemetry within the Tromtö Nature Reserve in Sweden. By analysing the beetle’s movement patterns and habitat utilisation, especially at the northernmost margin of its range, we aim to enhance our understanding and methodology of insect conservation strategies. Insights from this project will contribute significantly to developing effective conservation practices for endangered species, particularly in adapting to climatic limits and habitat requirements.

This study investigates the factors influencing acorn size across native and non-native oak species in Sweden. It explores how environmental conditions and biological interactions affect oak reproductive strategies. The findings aim to inform conservation practices and enhance our understanding of oak ecology.

Research from Sweden reveals that old trees continue to grow and sequester carbon at high rates, challenging previous assumptions about their growth decline. This finding suggests that preserving old trees in forests can significantly enhance carbon capture and aid in combating climate change. This study highlights the critical role of old trees in effective forest management strategies for climate mitigation.

Our research utilises RAD-sequencing to reveal how genetic diversity and structure have fluctuated over centuries within three distinct sites. We assess the impacts of environmental changes and human influence on these long-lived species by comparing genetic data across multiple age classes—from ancient veteran oaks to young saplings and acorns.

Study focused on the invertebrate biodiversity residing on the trunks of oak trees throughout Sweden. Our research explores the variety of invertebrate species, their abundance, and the intricate phenological patterns across different latitudinal gradients. By combining traditional identification techniques with modern metabarcoding, we aim to deepen our understanding of these dynamic ecosystems, providing insights that could guide future conservation efforts.

This project investigates the diversity and ecological dynamics of yeast species on oak bark. Collecting and analysing samples from various oak trees, we aim to uncover how these microorganisms evolve and interact within their unique ecological niches. This study, conducted in collaboration with Rike Stelkens, enhances our understanding of microbial biodiversity and its implications for forest ecosystems.