PhD Candidate: Zahra Emlaei

PhD Supervisors: Associate Professor Paul Rymer (WSU), Associate Professor Rachael Nolan (WSU), Dr Michael Franklin (WSU)

Project Summary: Climate variations can significantly impact leaf traits, and these effects may be exacerbated by forest fragmentation. Forest edges, which are typically dominated by early successional species with resource-acquisitive strategies, often face heightened vulnerability to climatic fluctuations. Fragmentation increases evaporative demand due to elevated temperatures and wind exposure. However, there is substantial uncertainty regarding how fragmented forests respond to seasonal climate variations. This study aims to clarify these dynamics and enhance our understanding of species responses to climate change in fragmented landscapes.

In this study, we will re-examine previously sampled species and conduct monthly measurements throughout the summer to explore how forest fragmentation and microclimatic seasonal changes impact plant functional traits in both the understory and upper canopy.

The aim of this study is to understand how forest fragmentation interacts with seasonal shifts and to assess the responses of both the understory and upper canopy to this interaction. Key questions include: How do seasonal shifts impact the effects of edge and interior habitats on plant traits in fragmented ecosystems? Which vegetation types (trees, shrubs, grasses, and forbs) exhibit the greatest sensitivity to seasonal shifts in fragmented ecosystems?