ERC Consolidator Grant · 2025
Chilling Limits and impacts on leaf-out Timing and Ecosystem dynamics under climate change
The timing and duration of leaf emergence in temperate trees are critical for ecosystem functioning, biodiversity, and climate regulation. While phenologists have long studied the mechanisms driving leaf phenology and its response to warming climates, one key factor—winter chilling—remains poorly understood. Winter chilling influences not only when leaves emerge but whether they can emerge at all. Recognized since the 1920s, this process requires trees to experience sufficient cold conditions over winter to break dormancy and enable spring leaf emergence. Although spring leaf emergence is advancing with climate warming, insufficient winter chilling could eventually override spring warming…
From the public funding record at EU CORDIS. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.