Experiment investigates Air and Soil Dryness in Forests

The remarkable installation in the Pfynwald forest in Valais, Switzerland, is part of the globally unique “VPDrought” experiment, designed to unravel the effects of soil and air droughts in a natural forest ecosystem. This study explores how both air and soil dryness impact mature forest pines. The 130-year-old trees receive varying amounts of soil water, and high-pressure nozzles in some of the canopies spray water vapor during the day to reduce the vapor pressure deficit (VPD) by about 20 to 30 percent.

Our client and partner, WSL (Swiss Federal Research Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape) and EPFL, are examining how these conditions affect tree resilience and dieback processes. The experiment will evaluate the effects of soil and air drought on plant physiology and ecosystem health. It will offer valuable information for developing future climate models and forest management strategies.

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