Introduction
The course Tree Structure and Function is the second module of the Forest Sciences program in the first semester and will introduce basic knowledge of structural botany and tree physiology. During the course you will get insight into the field of Tree Physiology and Forest Botany to understand the interactions between trees and their environment. Tree physiology attends the chemical and physical behaviour of most important physiological processes like photosynthesis, respiration, nutrient coverage and transport processes of trees. Forest Botany provides the anatomical background typical for trees like the structure of leaves, stem and roots.
Basic knowledge of these areas is of great importance because natural resources like trees are responding strongly to a changing environment on the structural and physiological level. Environmental stressors, such as increased temperature, decreased water availability or elevated concentrations of air pollutants can influence the vitality and productivity of trees to a great extent.
Nutrient cycling within trees is one important aspect that considered the distribution of assimilates and nutrients during seasonal growth of the trees.
