Objective
Problems to be solved
The contribution of fossil fuel and biospheric sources and sinks to the rising concentration of atmospheric CO2 is not very well known at regional level. It is however subject of intense scientific and political debate in the context of the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. Currently there is no European monitoring facility available to measure CO2 fluxes at the regional level, which is needed for verification purpose.
Scientific objectives and approach
The project aims to quantify the contribution of fossil fuel and biospheric sources and sinks of CO2 in Europe to the atmospheric concentration at the regional scale by using a generic, coupled biosphere atmosphere modelling and experimental approach. An experimental strategy has been developed to quantify the atmospheric carbon balance in the atmospheric boundary layer and to derive regional estimates of CO2 emissions and sinks at the regional scale within representative areas in Europe. This requires the development of a European capability of airborne measurement of surface fluxes and vertical sampling of CO2 and related tracers through flasks. Two campaigns at all sites will be carried out in the summer of 2001 and winter of 2001/2002 to have two periods of contrasting biospheric activity. In parallel surface flux measurements over the dominant vegetation types in the area, typically forest and agricultural land will be taken. Integration of experimental and modelling work is a key issue of this project. Coupled modelling tools (both forward and inverse) will be developed to assess the regional scale carbon balance of representative areas in Europe and determine the interplay of anthropogenic emissions and ecosystem behaviour. The following modelling strategy will be applied: forward modelling with high-resolution non-hydrostatic mesoscale models, and backward (inverse) modelling with a Lagrangian model. In the forward modelling strategy the Regional Atmospheric Modelling System (RAMS) will be extended to include surface based emissions of fossil fuel combustion. Existing inventory-based data will also be used, e.g. from households and transport. Coupled land surface atmosphere modelling tools (both forward and inverse) will be developed to assess the regional scale carbon balance of representative areas in Europe and determine the interplay of anthropogenic emissions and ecosystem behaviour. The models will provide aggregation and scaling up rules for individual flux measurements, knowing the land cover type and interaction with the atmosphere and will thus provide the input for inverse global models.
Expected impacts
The project will deliver estimates of the regional sink strength of the European biosphere relevant for negotiations around the Kyoto Protocol and will contribute to the development of verification tools helping to fulfil the commitments of the EU member states.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences soil sciences land-based treatment
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences atmospheric sciences meteorology biosphera
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software software applications simulation software
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
6700 AA WAGENINGEN
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.