Olivier Jean Leonce Manzi
Doctoral Student
Department of Biological & EnvironmentalAbout Olivier Jean Leonce Manzi
My PhD studies focus on tropical tree species in a changing climate. It is expected that climate change might particularly affect tropical trees as they are adapted to a moist and thermally stable environment. However, this hypothesis is poorly evaluated due to a lack of data. In this study, we will study traits and mechanisms that predispose tropical trees to mortality following heat and drought stresses. A major focus will be put on hydraulic, photochemical as well as biochemical traits. Using plantations of 20 species on different sites that exhibit large variation in elevation (1300-2400 m) and climate (14-21C; 850-1750 mm precipitation), we will be able to understand the impacts of increased temperature and drought on different species divided into different groups (Early vs late-successional, montane vs. lower-elevation species). Moreover, the water treatments at all sites will help us to disentangle the effect of temperature from that of drought.