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Speaker: Dr Todd Dawson, Distinguished Professor of Plant Ecology and Physiology, UC Berkeley
California’s coast redwood was once widespread throughout the world but as global climate changed its ecological range contracted to a narrow band at the land-sea interface defined by cool temperatures, ample winter rainfall and summers with fog. These conditions have influenced many of the unique ecological and physiology adaptations in redwood trees. Today the climatic conditions at the land-sea interface are changing rapidly and are challenging redwoods in ways they have never seen in their long history. In this context I will highlight some of the important characteristics that define redwood ecology and physiology and their connection to both current climate and climate change.
Todd Dawson is Distinguished Professor of Plant Ecology and Physiology in the Departments of Integrative Biology and Environmental Science, Policy & Management at UC Berkeley. He also directs the Center for Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry at UC Berkeley. He has been studying redwoods since his undergraduate days and is actively involved in applying what he and his research group are learning to their preservation, conservation and management.