Shrub Synthesis Workshop

IASC is co-sponsoring a Shrub Synthesis Workshop, which will be held in Davos, Switzerland from 13-19 September. The workshop is an activity of the Shrub Hub Research Network (http://shrubhub.biology.ualberta.ca/). During the workshop, 12 or more researchers will meet in Davos, Switzerland to conduct a data synthesis of growth ring, stem elongation, and other growth data of woody shrubs from Arctic and alpine tundra sites. Recent evidence indicates widespread expansion of canopy-forming shrubs in tundra ecosystems. Remote sensing shows a ‘greening’ of the Arctic which has been partially attributed to increasing shrub cover. This increase in woody shrubs is concurrent with increasing temperatures, but the actual mechanisms, the magnitude of change in cover and feedbacks promoting expansion over time have yet to be quantified at the biome scale.