Erin Wiley

I am interested in the ways that physiological processes are affected by climate and biotic interactions and how these effects in turn limit growth and cause mortality in trees. My lab’s research is directed at understanding carbon (C) relations in trees, with a particular focus on carbohydrate storage. Carbohydrate storage provides a source of C that can be remobilized for use when photosynthesis can’t meet a tree’s current demands; it can, therefore, be an important adaptation to cope with stress and disturbance. Our goal is to gain a better understanding of 1) what controls carbohydrate allocation and remobilization in trees and 2) how low C availability can affect tree performance and survival.