In the middle of snowy forest, what to lean?
* This course is for 3rd and 4th year undergraduate students, and master's students
At high latitude, substantial part of the year is characterized as "Winter". For the severe cold temperature and frost event, organism develop unique strategy to survive and are sometime even active in winter, to drive biogeochemical cycle in forest ecosystem.
On the other hand, winter climate is changing worldwide, and its influence on the structure and function of forest ecosystem is being concerned. However, as compared to the influence during growing season, that in winter is less investigated.
At high latitude, substantial part of the year is characterized as "Winter". For the severe cold temperature and frost event, organism develop unique strategy to survive and are sometime even active in winter, to drive biogeochemical cycle in forest ecosystem.
On the other hand, winter climate is changing worldwide, and its influence on the structure and function of forest ecosystem is being concerned. However, as compared to the influence during growing season, that in winter is less investigated.
Fig: Long-term trend of snowfall in northern Hokkaido (modified from Makoto et al. 2014)
How do forest organisms survive in winter?
How do biogeochemical cycles proceed under snow?
How are these being influenced by climate change?
To enhance our understanding to these questions, the students will learn basic and applied knowledge about snow function, plant ecology, soil nutrient dynamics, carbon flux and silvicultural activity in winter forest. In the end, the students will conduct a group discussion and presentation about the influence of the winter climate change in forest ecosystem.
As you know, Hokkaido is beautiful place for winter activity. You will have chance to enjoy ski touring during the field course in the middle of pristine forest of Hokkaido University Forest.
The beginner of the ski is most welcome!
Lecturers (for the details of each lecturer, please click name)
Scott. D. WILSON (Plant Ecology) Professor Emeritus of University of Regina, CANADA
Toshiya YOSHIDA (Silviculture)*
Hideaki SHIBATA (Biogeochemistry)*
Kentaro TAKAGI (Ecosystem Ecology)*
Makoto KOBAYASHI (Plant Ecology, Soil animal ecology)*
*Hokkaido Univ. Staffs
How do forest organisms survive in winter?
How do biogeochemical cycles proceed under snow?
How are these being influenced by climate change?
To enhance our understanding to these questions, the students will learn basic and applied knowledge about snow function, plant ecology, soil nutrient dynamics, carbon flux and silvicultural activity in winter forest. In the end, the students will conduct a group discussion and presentation about the influence of the winter climate change in forest ecosystem.
As you know, Hokkaido is beautiful place for winter activity. You will have chance to enjoy ski touring during the field course in the middle of pristine forest of Hokkaido University Forest.
The beginner of the ski is most welcome!
Lecturers (for the details of each lecturer, please click name)
Scott. D. WILSON (Plant Ecology) Professor Emeritus of University of Regina, CANADA
Toshiya YOSHIDA (Silviculture)*
Hideaki SHIBATA (Biogeochemistry)*
Kentaro TAKAGI (Ecosystem Ecology)*
Makoto KOBAYASHI (Plant Ecology, Soil animal ecology)*
*Hokkaido Univ. Staffs
