Emma Fryer

Research area

My PhD work is focused on trees common in Swiss forests (Abies alba, Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica, and Picea abies) and how differences in heat and drought tolerance between juveniles and adult trees might influence the regeneration of forests as climate changes progresses. By better understanding the regeneration niche of species, we may be able to better predict their responses to climate change. 

My dissertation work consists of three parts: the first explores whether there are differences in the damage from freeze-thaw events and the resulting xylem emboli, and what anatomical traits might be linked to freeze-thaw embolism vulnerability.

The second component contrasts juvenile and adult trees sampled from four sites in Switzerland, comparing them by age class, species, and site in terms of several anatomical and physiological traits related to climate tolerance.

The last component is a greenhouse study in which I plan to track changes in climatic tolerance traits for the same species over the first two years of growth to determine when shifts in climatic vulnerability occur, and hopefully find developmental milestones such shifts may be linked to.

I welcome queer and neurodiverse students, as well as students from lower-income backgrounds!