Luu Hoang will be the guest speaker at the AMS Graduate Chapter Seminar on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from 4:00 to 5:00 PM at Morton Hall, 219.

Title:

Applying mathematical models to understand the importance of regeneration processes on forest biodiversity in old-growth forests.

Abstract:

My research explores the significance of regeneration processes in shaping forest diversity in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). While previous research has often overlooked the role of forest regeneration, I argue that it is crucial for predicting forest diversity accurately. I employed a forest gap model (ForClim) and fitted equations for regeneration processes to empirical data. Through simulations, I varied regeneration processes and parameter values to assess their impact on species composition. My results demonstrate that incorporating regeneration processes into ForClim enhances the model's ability to simulate species composition, aligning more closely with Forest Inventory Analysis data. I further identify seedling survival as a key factor influencing forest diversity, with seed production playing a lesser role. Additionally, I highlight the importance of the time taken for seedlings to transition into saplings as a critical recruitment parameter. Notably, the simulations only accounted for historical climate conditions, overlooking the potential impacts of future climate change on seed production and seedling survival. Future climate change simulations should incorporate these regeneration processes to accurately predict future forest dynamics.