The climate in the high latitudes is changing rapidly, profoundly affecting vegetation and its geographic distribution.

Our research focuses on the taiga–tundra ecotone in North America and Eurasia, the sensitive transition zone at the Arctic tree line. We study the Arctic and mountain treelines, tracing the gradient from treeless tundra through scattered trees and open woodlands to the dense forests of the southern taiga.

Our goal is to understand the ecosystem functions and services of the taiga–tundra ecotone, in the past, present, and future.

We investigate processes ranging from the individual tree to the community level, from the protection of permafrost to the role in the global carbon cycle.