Macaronesian laurel forests are one of the most surprising ecosystems of Spain: A wet subtropical multispecific forest living just in front of Sahara desert with species and genus that are gone from European and African continents since the Tertiary. Preserving this jewel in midst of an era of global change is a priority. This project is aimed at evaluating relationships among tree species of laurel forests in the Canary Islands in order to understand their dynamics and the effects of climate on their growth. In addition, we will evaluate the potential of X-rays computed tomography for quantifying the capacity of carbon sequestration in laurel forests. Knowledge gained with this project will help to develop management tools focused on mitigating climate change impacts on laurel forests, ensuring their preservation.
Project VA113G19 funded by Junta de Castilla y León.
