A joint seminar of the section Systematics, Biodiversity & Evolution of Plants, the Botanische Staatssammlung München and the Botanical Garden München-Nymphenburg
When? Wednesdays at 1:15pm (during the semester, unless specified otherwise).
Where? Room 109 Botanical Institute, Menzinger Str. 67, 80638 München.
Dr. Nicole Estrella, TUM München, Ökoklimatologie, Munich, Germany
Late Frost Risk of Native and Future Alternative Tree Species
This presentation introduces the results of our experimental late‑frost project. During leaf development, branches of 55 native and potentially future tree species were collected and exposed to two frost temperatures. The aim was to analyse late‑frost risk in the context of climate change and thereby provide decision support for a future‑oriented and climate‑adapted selection of tree species.
Climate change is increasingly leading to earlier leaf emergence, yet even after unusually mild spring months, the risk of late frost periods persists, which can damage already advanced leaf or flower development. It is also well known that frost temperatures represent a major abiotic factor that largely determines the geographical distribution of tree species. However, for many species still only limited information is available regarding their frost sensitivity during leaf development.
Our frost‑resistance experiments confirmed an increase in frost damage in later phenological stages. The timing of budburst and leaf emergence correlated with frost sensitivity. Climax species showed stronger frost damage at budburst than pioneer or intermediate species.
Our results demonstrate that frost resistance varies considerably both between species and between developmental stages and is influenced by various plant traits. Therefore, continued emphasis should be placed on diversifying tree‑species selection to enhance forest resilience. Some non‑native species that demonstrably exhibit high frost resistance may also represent a meaningful addition to the native species spectrum—provided they are site‑appropriate and show no invasive potential.
Host: Dr. Andreas Gröger