As a part of her PhD studies, Astrid is working on evapotranspiration to better understand changes in the water cycle. She has been conducting experiments at the Phytotron (Plant Laboratory) with help from researcher Ane V. Vollsness. Ane and Astrid have planted hundreds of dwarf birch and followed their water consumption. In warmer climates, dwarf birch make choices that feedback to the climate. They hold on to the water when the air is dry even if there is enough water in the soil. Their measurements showed that plants are not passively receiving the effects of climate change.
Read the full story on Titan (in Norwegian).