KATHARINA LIEPE

Spatial patterns of phenotypic variation in frost hardiness of lodgepole pine and interior spruce

Katharina is a MSc student in the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Alberta. Her research focuses on the analysis of frost hardiness, a key factor determining the distribution of conifer species in boreal forests. She will analyze the variation of frost hardiness in lodgepole pine and interior spruce in correlation with climate variables in order to develop and test a spatial model of frost risk.

Originally from Germany, Katharina did her BSc in Forest and Environmental Sciences and the first year of her MSc at the Albert-Ludwigs Universität in Freiburg. In 2012 she came to Canada on an international exchange program to write her thesis at U of A. Apart from her studies she enjoys swimming, running and skiing. She loves to explore the parts of Canada still unknown to her when time allows.