Tree rings and growth
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Trees react to their environment, and their wood reflects past climate variability and events such as rockfalls, avalanches or wildfire. We date and analyze these natural archives.
In our tree-ring lab - the second largest worldwide, and the largest in Europe -, we apply and develop new methodologies in dendrochronology (i.e., tree-ring analysis) and wood anatomy. The data we gain from ring width, maximum latewood density, and isotopes are accurate to the year. We use them to measure the impact of environmental stresses on wood anatomy and tree physiological processes, and to reconstruct vegetation history. By dating climate variability over the past millenia, we contribute to validating regional and global climate models.
Reconstructing ice ages
We conduct research almost all over the world and across a variety of time scales. Examples include:
- detailed weekly analysis of the impacts of temperature on tree growth at various altitudes in the Swiss valley of Loetschental,
- reconstructions of climate in the Northern Hemisphere over the past millennia, which revealed a period of extreme cold in Eurasia between 536 and around 660 CE,
- interdisciplinary investigations of subfossil pines from the last glaciation, i.e. 14,000 years ago that we discovered on a construction site in Zurich.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Publications
Inspired by the pleasure of finding beauty at smaller dimensions, Fritz Schweingruber and his wife Elisabeth share the magic, mystery, and excitement plant anatomy can offer through microscopic views of thin sections magnified up to 1000 times and ignited by light through the microscope.
Simons, N.K.; Felipe-Lucia, M.R.; Schall, P.; Ammer, C.; Bauhus, J.; Blüthgen, N.; Boch, S.; Buscot, F.; Fischer, M.; Goldmann, K.; Gossner, M.M.; Hänsel, F.; Jung, K.; Manning, P.; Nauss, T.; Oelmann, Y.; Pena, R.; Polle, A.; Renner, S.C.; ... Weisser, W.W., 2021: National forest inventories capture the multifunctionality of managed forests in Germany. Forest Ecosystems, 8: 5 (19 pp.). doi: 10.1186/s40663-021-00280-5
Charpentier Ljungqvist, F.; Thejll, P.; Björklund, J.; Gunnarson, B.E.; Piermattei, A.; Rydval, M.; Seftigen, K.; Støve, B.; Büntgen, U., 2020: Assessing non-linearity in European temperature-sensitive tree-ring data. Dendrochronologia, 59: 125652 (16 pp.). doi: 10.1016/j.dendro.2019.125652
Björklund, J.; Seftigen, K.; Fonti, P.; Nievergelt, D.; Von Arx, G., 2020: Dendroclimatic potential of dendroanatomy in temperature-sensitive Pinus sylvestris. Dendrochronologia, 60: 125673 (9 pp.). doi: 10.1016/j.dendro.2020.125673
Reinig, F.; Cherubini, P.; Engels, S.; Esper, J.; Guidobaldi, G.; Jöris, O.; Lane, C.; Nievergelt, D.; Oppenheimer, C.; Park, C.; Pfanz, H.; Riede, F.; Schmincke, H.; Street, M.; Wacker, L.; Büntgen, U., 2020: Towards a dendrochronologically refined date of the Laacher See eruption around 13,000 years ago. Quaternary Science Reviews, 229: 106128 (6 pp.). doi: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2019.106128
Björklund, J.; Von Arx, G.; Nievergelt, D.; Wilson, R.; Van den Bulcke, J.; Günther, B.; Loader, N.J.; Rydval, M.; Fonti, P.; Scharnweber, T.; Andreu‐Hayles, L.; Büntgen, U.; D'Arrigo, R.; Davi, N.; De Mil, T.; Esper, J.; Gärtner, H.; Geary, J.; Gunnarson, B.E.; ... Frank, D., 2019: Scientific merits and analytical challenges of tree‐ring densitometry. Reviews of Geophysics, 57, 4: 1224-1264. doi: 10.1029/2019RG000642
Nikolova, P.S.; Rohner, B.; Zell, J.; Brang, P., 2019: Tree species dynamics in Swiss forests as affected by site, stand and management: a retrospective analysis. Forest Ecology and Management, 448: 278-293. doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2019.06.012
Rigling, A.; Etzold, S.; Bebi, P.; Brang, P.; Ferretti, M.; Forrester, D.; Gärtner, H.; Gessler, A.; Ginzler, C.; Moser, B.; Schaub, M.; Stroheker, S.; Trotsiuk, V.; Walthert, L.; Zweifel, R.; Wohlgemuth, T., 2019: Wie viel Trockenheit ertragen unsere Wälder? Lehren aus extremen Trockenjahren. In: Bründl, M.; Schweizer, J. (eds), 2019: Lernen aus Extremereignissen. Forum für Wissen 2019: Lernen aus Extremereignissen, Davos, Switzerland. 39-51.
Pretzsch, H.; Del Río, M.; Biber, P.; Arcangeli, C.; Bielak, K.; Brang, P.; Dudzinska, M.; Forrester, D.I.; Klädtke, J.; Kohnle, U.; Ledermann, T.; Matthews, R.; Nagel, J.; Nagel, R.; Nilsson, U.; Ningre, F.; Nord-Larsen, T.; Wernsdörfer, H.; Sycheva, E., 2019: Maintenance of long-term experiments for unique insights into forest growth dynamics and trends: review and perspectives. European Journal of Forest Research, 138, 1: 165-185. doi: 10.1007/s10342-018-1151-y
Lyu, L.; Büntgen, U.; Treydte, K.; Yu, K.; Liang, H.; Reinig, F.; Nievergelt, D.; Li, M.; Cherubini, P., 2019: Tree rings reveal hydroclimatic fingerprints of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation on the Tibetan Plateau. Climate Dynamics, 53, 1-2: 1023-1037. doi: 10.1007/s00382-019-04629-z
Büntgen, U., 2019: Re-thinking the boundaries of dendrochronology. Dendrochronologia, 53: 1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.dendro.2018.10.012
Avanzi, C.; Piermattei, A.; Piotti, A.; Büntgen, U.; Heer, K.; Opgenoorth, L.; Spanu, I.; Urbinati, C.; Vendramin, G.G.; Leonardi, S., 2019: Disentangling the effects of spatial proximity and genetic similarity on individual growth performances in Norway spruce natural populations. Science of the Total Environment, 650: 493-504. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.348
Möhl, P.; Mörsdorf, M.A.; Dawes, M.A.; Hagedorn, F.; Bebi, P.; Viglietti, D.; Freppaz, M.; Wipf, S.; Körner, C.; Thomas, F.M.; Rixen, C., 2019: Twelve years of low nutrient input stimulates growth of trees and dwarf shrubs in the treeline ecotone. Journal of Ecology, 107: 768-780. doi: 10.1111/1365-2745.13073
Wagner, B.; Ginzler, C.; Bürgi, A.; Santini, S.; Gärtner, H., 2018: An annually-resolved stem growth tool based on 3D laser scans and 2D tree-ring data. Trees: Structure and Function, 32, 1: 125-136. doi: 10.1007/s00468-017-1618-3
Lehmann, M.M.; Goldsmith, G.T.; Schmid, L.; Gessler, A.; Saurer, M.; Siegwolf, R.T.W., 2018: The effect of 18O-labelled water vapour on the oxygen isotope ratio of water and assimilates in plants at high humidity. New Phytologist, 217, 1: 105-116. doi: 10.1111/nph.14788
Arzac, A.; Babushkina, E.A.; Fonti, P.; Slobodchikova, V.; Sviderskaya, I.V.; Vaganov, E.A., 2018: Evidences of wider latewood in Pinus sylvestris from a forest-steppe of Southern Siberia. Dendrochronologia, 49: 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.dendro.2018.02.007
Reinig, F.; Nievergelt, D.; Esper, J.; Friedrich, M.; Helle, G.; Hellmann, L.; Kromer, B.; Morganti, S.; Pauly, M.; Sookdeo, A.; Tegel, W.; Treydte, K.; Verstege, A.; Wacker, L.; Büntgen, U., 2018: New tree-ring evidence for the Late Glacial period from the northern pre-Alps in eastern Switzerland. Quaternary Science Reviews, 186: 215-224. doi: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2018.02.019
Giammarchi, F.; Cherubini, P.; Pretzsch, H.; Tonon, G., 2017: The increase of atmospheric CO2 affects growth potential and intrinsic water-use efficiency of Norway spruce forests: insights from a multi-stable isotope analysis in tree rings of two Alpine chronosequences. Trees: Structure and Function, 31, 2: 503-515. doi: 10.1007/s00468-016-1478-2
Seiler, R.; Kirchner, J.W.; Krusic, P.J.; Tognetti, R.; Houlié, N.; Andronico, D.; Cullotta, S.; Egli, M.; D'Arrigo, R.; Cherubini, P., 2017: Insensitivity of tree-ring growth to temperature and precipitation sharpens the puzzle of enhanced pre-eruption NDVI on Mt. Etna (Italy). PLoS One, 12, 1: e0169297 (21 pp.). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169297
Lehmann, M.M.; Gamarra, B.; Kahmen, A.; Siegwolf, R.T.W.; Saurer, M., 2017: Oxygen isotope fractionations across individual leaf carbohydrates in grass and tree species. Plant, Cell and Environment, 40, 8: 1658-1670. doi: 10.1111/pce.12974
Hellmann, L.; Tegel, W.; Geyer, J.; Kirdyanov, A.V.; Nikolaev, A.N.; Eggertsson, Ó.; Altman, J.; Reinig, F.; Morganti, S.; Wacker, L.; Büntgen, U., 2017: Dendro-provenancing of Arctic driftwood. Quaternary Science Reviews, 162: 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2017.02.025
Haeni, M.; Zweifel, R.; Eugster, W.; Gessler, A.; Zielis, S.; Bernhofer, C.; Carrara, A.; Grünwald, T.; Havránková, K.; Heinesch, B.; Herbst, M.; Ibrom, A.; Knohl, A.; Lagergren, F.; Law, B.E.; Marek, M.; Matteucci, G.; McCaughey, J.H.; Minerbi, S.; ... Buchmann, N., 2017: Winter respiratory C losses provide explanatory power for net ecosystem productivity. Journal of Geophysical Research G: Biogeosciences, 122, 1: 243-260. doi: 10.1002/2016JG003455
Cailleret, M.; Jansen, S.; Robert, E.M.R.; Desoto, L.; Aakala, T.; Antos, J.A.; Beikircher, B.; Bigler, C.; Bugmann, H.; Caccianiga, M.; Cherubini, P.; Petritan, A.M.; Rohner, B.; Martínez-Vilalta, J., 2017: A synthesis of radial growth patterns preceding tree mortality. Global Change Biology, 23, 4: 1675-1690. doi: 10.1111/gcb.13535
Büntgen, U.; Krusic, P.J.; Verstege, A.; Sangüesa-Barreda, G.; Wagner, S.; Camarero, J.J.; Ljungqvist, F.C.; Zorita, E.; Oppenheimer, C.; Konter, O.; Tegel, W.; Gärtner, H.; Cherubini, P.; Reinig, F.; Esper, J., 2017: New tree-ring evidence from the Pyrenees reveals western mediterranean climate variability since medieval times. Journal of Climate, 30, 14: 5295-5318. doi: 10.1175/JCLI-D-16-0526.1
Rieger, I.; Kowarik, I.; Cherubini, P.; Cierjacks, A., 2017: A novel dendrochronological approach reveals drivers of carbon sequestration in tree species of riparian forests across spatiotemporal scales. Science of the Total Environment, 574: 1261-1275. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.07.174
Timofeeva, G.; Treydte, K.; Bugmann, H.; Rigling, A.; Schaub, M.; Siegwolf, R.; Saurer, M., 2017: Long-term effects of drought on tree-ring growth and carbon isotope variability in Scots pine in a dry environment. Tree Physiology, 37, 8: 1028-1041. doi: 10.1093/treephys/tpx041
Frank, A.; Howe, G.T.; Sperisen, C.; Brang, P.; St. Clair, J.B.; Schmatz, D.R.; Heiri, C., 2017: Risk of genetic maladaptation due to climate change in three major European tree species. Global Change Biology, 23, 12: 5358-5371. doi: 10.1111/gcb.13802
Liu, J.; Arend, M.; Yang, W.; Schaub, M.; Ni, Y.; Gessler, A.; Jiang, Z.; Rigling, A.; Li, M., 2017: Effects of drought on leaf carbon source and growth of European beech are modulated by soil type. Scientific Reports, 7: 42462 (9 pp.). doi: 10.1038/srep42462
Seiler, R.; Houlié, N.; Cherubini, P., 2017: Tree-ring width reveals the preparation of the 1974 Mt. Etna eruption. Scientific Reports, 7: 44019 (9 pp.). doi: 10.1038/srep44019
Junker, L.V.; Kleiber, A.; Jansen, K.; Wildhagen, H.; Hess, M.; Kayler, Z.; Kammerer, B.; Schnitzler, J.; Kreuzwieser, J.; Gessler, A.; Ensminger, I., 2017: Variation in short-term and long-term responses of photosynthesis and isoprenoid-mediated photoprotection to soil water availability in four douglas-fir provenances. Scientific Reports, 7: 40145 (16 pp.). doi: 10.1038/srep40145
Castagneri, D.; Fonti, P.; Von Arx, G.; Carrer, M., 2017: How does climate influence xylem morphogenesis over the growing season? Insights from long-term intra-ring anatomy in Picea abies. Annals of Botany, 119, 6: 1011-1020. doi: 10.1093/aob/mcw274
Petrucco, L.; Nardini, A.; Von Arx, G.; Saurer, M.; Cherubini, P., 2017: Isotope signals and anatomical features in tree rings suggest a role for hydraulic strategies in diffuse drought-induced die-back of Pinus nigra. Tree Physiology, 37: 523-535. doi: 10.1093/treephys/tpx031
Von Arx, G.; Arzac, A.; Fonti, P.; Frank, D.; Zweifel, R.; Rigling, A.; Galiano, L.; Gessler, A.; Olano, J.M., 2017: Responses of sapwood ray parenchyma and non-structural carbohydrates of Pinus sylvestris to drought and long-term irrigation. Functional Ecology, 31, 7: 1371-1382. doi: 10.1111/1365-2435.12860
Anchukaitis, K.J.; Wilson, R.; Briffa, K.R.; Büntgen, U.; Cook, E.R.; D'Arrigo, R.; Davi, N.; Esper, J.; Frank, D.; Gunnarson, B.E.; Hegerl, G.; Helama, S.; Klesse, S.; Krusic, P.J.; Linderholm, H.W.; Myglan, V.; Osborn, T.J.; Zhang, P.; Rydval, M.; ... Zorita, E., 2017: Last millennium Northern Hemisphere summer temperatures from tree rings: part II, spatially resolved reconstructions. Quaternary Science Reviews, 163: 1-22. doi: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2017.02.020
Hartl-Meier, C.; Esper, J.; Liebhold, A.; Konter, O.; Rothe, A.; Büntgen, U., 2017: Effects of host abundance on larch budmoth outbreaks in the European Alps. Agricultural and Forest Entomology, 19, 4: 376-387. doi: 10.1111/afe.12216
Oppenheimer, C.; Wacker, L.; Xu, J.; Galván, J.D.; Stoffel, M.; Guillet, S.; Corona, C.; Sigl, M.; Di Cosmo, N.; Hajdas, I.; Pan, B.; Breuker, R.; Schneider, L.; Esper, J.; Fei, J.; Hammond, J.O.S.; Büntgen, U., 2017: Multi-proxy dating the 'Millennium Eruption' of Changbaishan to late 946 CE. Quaternary Science Reviews, 158: 164-171. doi: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2016.12.024
Duan, J.; Esper, J.; Büntgen, U.; Li, L.; Xoplaki, E.; Zhang, H.; Wang, L.; Fang, Y.; Luterbacher, J., 2017: Weakening of annual temperature cycle over the Tibetan Plateau since the 1870s. Nature Communications, 8: 14008 (7 pp.). doi: 10.1038/ncomms14008
Wilson, R.; Wilson, D.; Rydval, M.; Crone, A.; Büntgen, U.; Clark, S.; Ehmer, J.; Forbes, E.; Fuentes, M.; Gunnarson, B.E.; Linderholm, H.W.; Nicolussi, K.; Wood, C.; Mills, C., 2017: Facilitating tree-ring dating of historic conifer timbers using Blue Intensity. Journal of Archaeological Science, 78: 99-111. doi: 10.1016/j.jas.2016.11.011
Leonelli, G.; Battipagila, G.; Cherubini, P.; Saurer, M.; Siegwolf, R.T.W.; Maugeri, M.; Stenni, B.; Fusco, S.; Maggi, V.; Pelfini, M., 2017: Larix decidua δ18O tree-ring cellulose mainly reflects the isotopic signature of winter snow in a high-altitude glacial valley of the European Alps. Science of the Total Environment, 579: 230-237. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.11.129
Blanchet, G.; Guillet, S.; Calliari, B.; Corona, C.; Edvardsson, J.; Stoffel, M.; Bragazza, L., 2017: Impacts of regional climatic fluctuations on radial growth of Siberian and Scots pine at Mukhrino mire (central-western Siberia). Science of the Total Environment, 574: 1209-1216. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.225
Zweifel, R.; Haeni, M.; Buchmann, N.; Eugster, W., 2016: Are trees able to grow in periods of stem shrinkage?. New Phytologist, 211, 3: 839-849. doi: 10.1111/nph.13995
Lévesque, M.; Walthert, L.; Weber, P., 2016: Soil nutrients influence growth response of temperate tree species to drought. Journal of Ecology, 104, 2: 377-387. doi: 10.1111/1365-2745.12519
Tomlinson, G.; Buchmann, N.; Siegwolf, R.; Weber, P.; Thimonier, A.; Graf Pannatier, E.; Schmitt, M.; Schaub, M.; Waldner, P., 2016: Can tree-ring δ15N be used as a proxy for foliar δ15N in European beech and Norway spruce?. Trees: Structure and Function, 30, 3: 627-638. doi: 10.1007/s00468-015-1305-1
Grote, R.; Gessler, A.; Hommel, R.; Poschenrieder, W.; Priesack, E., 2016: Importance of tree height and social position for drought-related stress on tree growth and mortality. Trees: Structure and Function, 30, 5: 1467-1482. doi: 10.1007/s00468-016-1446-x
Klein, T.; Bader, M.K.-F.; Leuzinger, S.; Mildner, M.; Schleppi, P.; Siegwolf, R.T.W.; Körner, C., 2016: Growth and carbon relations of mature Picea abies trees under 5 years of free-air CO2 enrichment. Journal of Ecology, 104, 6: 1720-1733. doi: 10.1111/1365-2745.12621
Trasobares, A.; Zingg, A.; Walthert, L.; Bigler, C., 2016: A climate-sensitive empirical growth and yield model for forest management planning of even-aged beech stands. European Journal of Forest Research, 135, 2: 263-282. doi: 10.1007/s10342-015-0934-7
Hommel, R.; Siegwolf, R.; Zavadlav, S.; Arend, M.; Schaub, M.; Galiano, L.; Haeni, M.; Kayler, Z.E.; Gessler, A., 2016: Impact of interspecific competition and drought on the allocation of new assimilates in trees. Plant Biology, 18, 5: 785-796. doi: 10.1111/plb.12461
Brinkmann, N.; Eugster, W.; Zweifel, R.; Buchmann, N.; Kahmen, A., 2016: Temperate tree species show identical response in tree water deficit but different sensitivities in sap flow to summer soil drying. Tree Physiology, 36, 12: 1508-1519. doi: 10.1093/treephys/tpw062
Hagedorn, F.; Joseph, J.; Peter, M.; Luster, J.; Pritsch, K.; Geppert, U.; Kerner, R.; Molinier, V.; Egli, S.; Schaub, M.; Liu, J.; Li, M.; Sever, K.; Weiler, M.; Siegwolf, R.T.W.; Gessler, A.; Arend, M., 2016: Recovery of trees from drought depends on belowground sink control. Nature Plants, 2, 8: 16111 (5 pp.). doi: 10.1038/NPLANTS.2016.111
Yan, C.; Gessler, A.; Rigling, A.; Dobbertin, M.; Han, X.; Li, M., 2016: Effects of mistletoe removal on growth, N and C reserves, and carbon and oxygen isotope composition in Scots pine hosts. Tree Physiology, 36, 5: 562-575. doi: 10.1093/treephys/tpw024
Arend, M.; Sever, K.; Pflug, E.; Gessler, A.; Schaub, M., 2016: Seasonal photosynthetic response of European beech to severe summer drought: limitation, recovery and post-drought stimulation. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 220: 83-89. doi: 10.1016/j.agrformet.2016.01.011
Vitali, V.; Brang, P.; Cherubini, P.; Zingg, A.; Simeonova Nikolova, P., 2016: Radial growth changes in Norway spruce montane and subalpine forests after strip cutting in the Swiss Alps. Forest Ecology and Management, 364: 145-153. doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2016.01.015
Rohner, B.; Weber, P.; Thürig, E., 2016: Bridging tree rings and forest inventories: how climate effects on spruce and beech growth aggregate over time. Forest Ecology and Management, 360: 159-169. doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2015.10.022
Arend, M.; Gessler, A.; Schaub, M., 2016: The influence of the soil on spring and autumn phenology in European beech. Tree Physiology, 36, 1: 78-85. doi: 10.1093/treephys/tpv087
Rohner, B.; Braun, S.; Weber, P.; Thürig, E., 2016: Croissance des arbres individuels: effets du climat. In: Pluess, A.R.; Augustin, S.; Brang, P.; Office fédéral de l’environnement OFEV,Berne; Institut fédéral de recherches sur la forêt (eds), 2016: Forêts et changements climatiques. Éléments pour des stratégies d'adaptation. Berne, Stuttgart, Vienne, Haupt. 143-161.
Hellmann, L.; Tegel, W.; Kirdyanov, A.V.; Eggertsson, Ó.; Esper, J.; Agafonov, L.; Nikolaev, A.N.; Knorre, A.A.; Myglan, V.S.; Churakova, O.; Schweingruber, F.H.; Nievergelt, D.; Verstege, A.; Büntgen, U., 2015: Timber logging in central Siberia is the main source for recent Arctic driftwood. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, 47, 3: 449-460. doi: 10.1657/AAAR0014-063
Myers-Smith, I.H.; Elmendorf, S.C.; Beck, P.S.A.; Wilmking, M.; Hallinger, M.; Blok, D.; Tape, K.D.; Rayback, S.A.; Macias-Fauria, M.; Forbes, B.C.; Speed, J.D.M.; Boulanger-Lapointe, N.; Rixen, C.; Lévesque, E.; Schmidt, N.M.; Baittinger, C.; Trant, A.J.; Hermanutz, L.; Siegwart Collier, L.; ... Vellend, M., 2015: Climate sensitivity of shrub growth across the tundra biome. Nature Climate Change, 5, 9: 887-891. doi: 10.1038/nclimate2697
Gärtner, H.; Cherubini, P.; Fonti, P.; Von Arx, G.; Schneider, L.; Nievergelt, D.; Verstege, A.; Bast, A.; Schweingruber, F.H.; Büntgen, U., 2015: A technical perspective in modern tree-ring research - how to overcome dendroecological and wood anatomical challenges. Journal of Visualized Experiments, e52337 (10 pp.). doi: 10.3791/52337
Moser, B.; Metslaid, M.; Walthert, L.; Wasem, U.; Wohlgemuth, T., 2015: Verjüngungspotenzial verschiedener Waldföhren und Fichtenherkünfte bei variabler Trockenheit. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen, 166, 6: 399-407. doi: 10.3188/szf.2015.0399
Weber, P.; Heiri, C.; Lévesque, M.; Sanders, T.; Trotsiuk, V.; Walthert, L., 2015: Zuwachs und Klimasensitivität von Baumarten im Ökogramm der kollinen und submontanen Stufe. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen, 166, 6: 380-388. doi: 10.3188/szf.2015.0380
Rohner, B.; Thürig, E., 2015: Entwicklung klimasensitiver Wachstumsfunktionen für das Szenariomodell "Massimo". Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen, 166, 6: 389-398. doi: 10.3188/szf.2015.0389
Myers-Smith, I.H.; Hallinger, M.; Blok, D.; Sass-Klaassen, U.; Rayback, S..A.; Weijers, S.; Trant, A.J.; Tape, K.D.; Naito, A.T.; Wipf, S.; Rixen, C.; Dawes, M.A.; Wheeler, J.A.; Buchwal, A.; Baittinger, C.; Macias-Fauria, M.; Forbes, B.C.; Lévesque, E.; Boulanger-Lapointe, N.; ... Wilmking, M., 2015: Methods for measuring arctic and alpine shrub growth: a review. Earth-Science Reviews, 140: 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2014.10.004
Zweifel, R.; Drew, D.M.; Schweingruber, F.; Downes, G.M., 2014: Xylem as the main origin of stem radius changes in Eucalyptus. Functional Plant Biology, 41, 5: 520-534. doi: 10.1071/FP13240
Dawes, M.A.; Zweifel, R.; Dawes, N.; Rixen, C.; Hagedorn, F., 2014: CO2 enrichment alters diurnal stem radius fluctuations of 36-yr-old Larix decidua growing at the alpine tree line. New Phytologist, 202, 4: 1237-1248. doi: 10.1111/nph.12742
Etzold, S.; Waldner, P.; Thimonier, A.; Schmitt, M.; Dobbertin, M., 2014: Tree growth in Swiss forests between 1995 and 2010 in relation to climate and stand conditions: recent disturbances matter. Forest Ecology and Management, 311: 41-55. doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2013.05.040
Bugmann, H.; Brang, P.; Elkin, C.; Henne, P.; Jakoby, O.; Lévesque, M.; Lischke, H.; Psomas, A.; Rigling, A.; Wermelinger, B.; Zimmermann, N.E., 2014: Climate change impacts on tree species, forest properties, and ecosystem services. In: Raible, C.C.; Strassmann, K.M. (eds), 2014: CH2014-Impacts. Toward quantitative scenarios of climate change impacts in Switzerland. Bern, Switzerland, OCCR, FOEN, MeteoSwiss, C2SM, Agroscope, ProClim. 79-89.
Weber, P.; Bugmann, H.; Pluess, A.R.; Walthert, L.; Rigling, A., 2013: Drought response and changing mean sensitivity of European beech close to the dry distribution limit. Trees: Structure and Function, 27, 1: 171-181. doi: 10.1007/s00468-012-0786-4
King, G.M.; Gugerli, F.; Fonti, P.; Frank, D.C., 2013: Tree growth response along an elevational gradient: climate or genetics?. Oecologia, 173, 4: 1587-1600. doi: 10.1007/s00442-013-2696-6
Etzold, S.; Zweifel, R.; Ruehr, N.K.; Eugster, W.; Buchmann, N., 2013: Long-term stem CO2 concentration measurements in Norway spruce in relation to biotic and abiotic factors. New Phytologist, 197, 4: 1173-1184. doi: 10.1111/nph.12115
Yuan, Y.; Zhang, T.; Wei, W.; Nievergelt, D.; Verstege, A.; Yu, S.; Zhang, R.; Esper, J., 2013: Development of tree-ring maximum latewood density chronologies for the Western Tien Shan Mountains, China: influence of detrending method and climate response. Dendrochronologia, 31, 3: 192-197. doi: 10.1016/j.dendro.2013.05.004
Rohner, B.; Bugmann, H.; Bigler, C., 2013: Estimating the age-diameter relationship of oak species in Switzerland using nonlinear mixed-effects models. European Journal of Forest Research, 132, 5-6: 751-764. doi: 10.1007/s10342-013-0710-5
Rohner, B.; Bugmann, H.; Brang, P.; Wunder, J.; Bigler, C., 2013: Eichenrückgang in Schweizer Naturwaldreservaten. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen, 164, 11: 328-336. doi: 10.3188/szf.2013.0328
Anchukaitis, K.J.; D'Arrigo, R.D.; Andreu-Hayles, L.; Frank, D.; Verstege, A.; Curtis, A.; Buckley, B.M.; Jacoby, G.C.; Cook, E.R., 2013: Tree-ring-reconstructed summer temperatures from Northwestern North America during the last nine centuries. Journal of Climate, 26, 10: 3001-3012. doi: 10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00139.1
Rigling, A.; Bigler, C.; Eilmann, B.; Feldmeyer-Christe, E.; Gimmi, U.; Ginzler, C.; Graf, U.; Mayer, P.; Vacchiano, G.; Weber, P.; Wohlgemuth, T.; Zweifel, R.; Dobbertin, M., 2013: Driving factors of a vegetation shift from Scots pine to pubescent oak in dry Alpine forests. Global Change Biology, 19, 1: 229-240. doi: 10.1111/gcb.12038
Slot, M.; Janse-ten Klooster, S.H.; Sterck, F.J.; Sass-Klaassen, U.; Zweifel, R., 2012: A lifetime perspective of biomass allocation in Quercus pubescens trees in a dry, alpine valley. Trees: Structure and Function, 26, 5: 1661-1668. doi: 10.1007/s00468-012-0717-4
Esper, J.; Frank, D.C.; Timonen, M.; Zorita, E.; Wilson, R.J.S.; Luterbacher, J.; Holzkämper, S.; Fischer, N.; Wagner, S.; Nievergelt, D.; Verstege, A.; Büntgen, U., 2012: Orbital forcing of tree-ring data. Nature Climate Change, 2, 12: 862-866. doi: 10.1038/Nclimate1589
Landergott, U.; Gugerli, F.; Hoebee, S.E.; Finkeldey, R.; Holderegger, R., 2012: Effects of seed mass on seedling height and competition in European white oaks. Flora, 207, 10: 721-725. doi: 10.1016/j.flora.2012.09.001
Dobbertin, M.; Hug, C.; Walthert, L., 2012: Waldzustand in der Schweiz: Erfassung, Entwicklung und Einflussfaktoren. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen, 163, 9: 331-342. doi: 10.3188/szf.2012.0331
Zweifel, R.; Bangerter, S.; Rigling, A.; Sterck, F.J., 2012: Pine and mistletoes: how to live with a leak in the water flow and storage system?. Journal of Experimental Botany, 63, 7: 2565-2578. doi: 10.1093/jxb/err432
Sterck, F.J.; Martínez-Vilalta, J.; Mencuccini, M.; Cochard, H.; Gerrits, P.; Zweifel, R.; Herrero, A.; Korhonen, J.F.J.; Llorens, P.; Nikinmaa, E.; Nolè, A.; Poyatos, R.; Ripullone, F.; Sass-Klaassen, U., 2012: Understanding trait interactions and their impacts on growth in Scots pine branches across Europe. Functional Ecology, 26, 2: 541-549. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2012.01963.x
Etzold, S.; Ruehr, N.K.; Zweifel, R.; Dobbertin, M.; Zingg, A.; Pluess, P.; Häsler, R.; Eugster, W.; Buchmann, N., 2011: The carbon balance of two contrasting mountain forest ecosystems in Switzerland: similar annual trends, but seasonal differences. Ecosystems, 14, 8: 1289-1309. doi: 10.1007/s10021-011-9481-3
Büntgen, U.; Raible, C.C.; Frank, D.; Helama, S.; Cunningham, L.; Hofer, D.; Nievergelt, D.; Verstege, A.; Timonen, M.; Stenseth, N.Chr.; Esper, J., 2011: Causes and consequences of past and projected Scandinavian summer temperatures, 500-2100 AD. PLoS One, 6, 9: e25133. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025133
Eilmann, B.; Zweifel, R.; Buchmann, N.; Graf Pannatier, E.; Rigling, A., 2011: Drought alters timing, quantity, and quality of wood formation in Scots pine. Journal of Experimental Botany, 62, 8: 2763-2771. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erq443
Esper, J.; Frank, D.; Büntgen, U.; Verstege, A.; Hantemirov, R.M.; Kirdyanov, A.V., 2010: Trends and uncertainties in Siberian indicators of 20th century warming. Global Change Biology, 16, 1: 386-398. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.01913.x
Zweifel, R.; Eugster, W.; Etzold, S.; Dobbertin, M.; Buchmann, N.; Häsler, R., 2010: Link between continuous stem radius changes and net ecosystem productivity of a subalpine Norway spruce forest in the Swiss Alps. New Phytologist, 187, 3: 819-830. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2010.03301.x
Martinéz-Vilalta, J.; Cochard, H.; Mencuccini, M.; Sterck, F.; Herrero, A.; Korhonen, J.F.J.; Llorens, P.; Nikinmaa, E.; Nolè, A.; Poyatos, R.; Ripullone, F.; Sass-Klaassen, U.; Zweifel, R., 2009: Hydraulic adjustment of Scots pine across Europe. New Phytologist, 184, 2: 353-364. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2009.02954.x
Eilmann, B.; Zweifel, R.; Buchmann, N.; Fonti, P.; Rigling, A., 2009: Drought-induced adaptation of the xylem in Scots pine and pubescent oak. Tree Physiology, 29, 8: 1011-1020. doi: 10.1093/treephys/tpp035
Sterck, F.J.; Zweifel, R.; Sass-Klaassen, U.; Chowdhury, Q., 2008: Persisting soil drought reduces leaf specific conductivity in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens). Tree Physiology, 28: 529-536. doi: 10.1093/treephys/28.4.529
Zweifel, R.; Zeugin, F., 2008: Ultrasonic acoustic emissions in drought-stressed trees - more than signals from cavitation. New Phytologist, 179, 4: 1070-1079. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2008.02521.x
Zweifel, R.; Steppe, K.; Sterck, F.J., 2007: Stomatal regulation by microclimate and tree water relations: interpreting ecophysiological field data with a hydraulic plant model. Journal of Experimental Botany, 58, 8: 2113-2131. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erm050
Esper, J.; Frank, D.; Büntgen, U.; Verstege, A.; Luterbacher, J.; Xoplaki, E., 2007: Long-term drought severity variations in Morocco. Geophysical Research Letters, 34, 17: L17702 (5 pp.). doi: 10.1029/2007GL030844
Büntgen, U.; Frank, D.C.; Kaczka, R.; Verstege, A.; Zwijacz-Kozica, T.; Esper, J., 2007: Growth responses to climate in a multi-species tree-ring network in the Western Carpathian Tatra Mountains, Poland and Slovakia. Tree Physiology, 27, 5: 689-702. doi: 10.1093/treephys/27.5.689
Zweifel, R.; Zimmermann, L.; Newbery, D.M., 2005: Modeling tree water deficit from microclimate: an approach to quantifying drought stress. Tree Physiology, 25: 147-156. doi: 10.1093/treephys/25.2.147
Zweifel, R.; Böhm, J.P.; Häsler, R., 2002: Midday stomatal closure in Norway spruce - reactions in the upper and lower crown. Tree Physiology, 22, 15-16: 1125-1136. doi: 10.1093/treephys/22.15-16.1125
Zweifel, R.; Item, H.; Häsler, R., 2001: Link between diurnal stem radius changes and tree water relations. Tree Physiology, 21, 12-13: 869-877. doi: 10.1093/treephys/21.12-13.869
Zweifel, R.; Häsler, R., 2001: Dynamics of water storage in mature subalpine Picea abies: temporal and spatial patterns of change in stem radius. Tree Physiology, 21, 9: 561-569. doi: 10.1093/treephys/21.9.561
Zweifel, R.; Item, H.; Häsler, R., 2000: Stem radius changes and their relation to stored water in stems of young Norway spruce trees. Trees: Structure and Function, 15, 1: 50-57. doi: 10.1007/s004680000072
Zweifel, R.; Häsler, R., 2000: Frost-induced reversible shrinkage of bark of mature subalpine conifers. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 102: 213-222. doi: 10.1016/S0168-1923(00)00135-0
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