We’re delighted to announce a significant milestone in the DendroNetwork infrastructure – the establishment of the 98th monitoring site, marking the completion of our extensive infrastructure. DendroNetwork is at the forefront of biomonitoring, providing invaluable insights into the current and future state of forests in the Czech Republic. In the face of climate change, it’s vital to understand and monitor the dynamics of forest ecosystems. Traditional methods such as the National Forest Inventory or crown condition assessments, while valuable, fall short when it comes to providing real-time, continuous information. The DendroNetwork fills this gap by generating near-real-time indicators of forest health.
Initiated in 2016, our network focuses on the collection and analysis of tree growth and water deficit datasets at high temporal and spatial resolution. The DendroNetwork covers 98 sites across a diverse climatic gradient and includes key tree species such as Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, Fagus sylvatica and Quercus ssp. Unlike traditional methods, our monitoring involves direct observation of tree growth and stress response in real time using stem dendrometers, providing data every 30 minutes. We’ve also taken wood core samples at each site in 2021 and 2022, providing insights into long-term tree growth patterns and trends in relation to environmental conditions.
What makes DendroNetwork truly unique is its automated data collection and online transmission, which allows us to combine real-time measurements with modelling. This integration makes it possible to assess current forest conditions and provide near real-time information to a wide audience. Applications of the DendroNetwork range from monitoring vulnerability to tree mortality and forest dieback to predicting bark beetle outbreaks, to quantifying key ecosystem functions such as climate effects and production functions. The network’s ability to provide continuous, real-time data makes it an invaluable tool for understanding the dynamics of Europe’s forests.
As we celebrate this achievement, we’re excited about the new insights our network and datasets can bring to the field, providing a comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions between forests and their ever-changing environment. Stay tuned as we continue to unlock the secrets of our forests through DendroNetwork.
Link: http://dendronet.cz