Roel Brienen

Roel Brienen is a Professor in Forest Ecology and Global Change at the School of Geography, University of Leeds. His research focuses on tropical forests' responses to climate change, using tree rings and isotopes (δ13C, δ18O) to study physiological adaptations and reconstruct recent climatic shifts.

Research Themes:

• Amazon hydrological cycles through oxygen isotope analysis
• Tree water use efficiency linked to rising CO2 levels
• Forest biomass dynamics and carbon sink trends
• Tree longevity and growth trade-offs under climate stress
• Impacts of climate variability on tropical ecosystems

Key Findings: Demonstrated declining Amazon carbon sink capacity (2015 Nature) and growth-lifespan trade-offs (2020 Nature Communications). Recent work includes isotope-based rainfall reconstructions and hydraulic limitations of tropical tree height.

Collaborations: Coordinated RAINFOR network, working with institutions across South America. Supervises PhD projects on Amazon flood pulse analysis, tree mortality patterns, and global forest responses to warming.

Methodology: Utilizes permanent plot networks, tree ring laboratories, and isotopic measurements to assess climate-forest interactions.

Funding: Supported by NERC, EU Framework Program, and Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.