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The fate of TERRestriAl forest CARBon from photosynthesis to structural biomass under climate change

Project description

Climate change impact on forest carbon accumulation

One of the solutions to reverse climate change can be found in our forests. A stabilising force, forests have a significant role in the global carbon cycle by taking up to 30 % of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions through photosynthesis and accumulating part of it as structural biomass (Bst). Unfortunately, climate change has caused more frequent and intense droughts, seriously impacting this process. The EU-funded TERRACARB project will study the interactivity between climate and the natural processes conducted by forests. This will allow for a better assessment of forest carbon accumulation efficiency allowing more accurate prediction on the impact of climate change.

Objective

Forests play a major role in the global carbon cycle. They uptake carbon through photosynthesis, return much of it through respiration, and accumulate some fraction as structural biomass (Bst). The forest carbon sink offsets nearly 30% of anthropogenic carbon-dioxide emissions, with Bst being the primary contributor to this sink due to its slow rate of turnover (years to centuries). However, climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of drought events and negatively impacting both photosynthesis and Bst. As these two processes are interconnected but independently modulated by environmental variables, it is imperative that we track the fate of forest carbon through its lifecycle from uptake to allocation. In TERRACARB, we will investigate the interactions between climate, photosynthetic carbon uptake, and carbon allocation to Bst during drought across spatial and temporal scales (tree to global; hourly to decadal). To do so we will use an innovative interdisciplinary approach that combines remote sensing, eddy covariance, tree-rings, and point dendrometer derived estimates of productivity. First, we will investigate the decrease in photosynthetic carbon uptake during atmospheric and hydrologic drought. Next, we will examine the mechanisms by which drought events leave behind legacy effects of below normal carbon accumulation. Finally, we will use a network of point dendrometers to evaluate the relationships between photosynthetic carbon uptake, tree radial growth, hydration, and climate variables at sub-seasonal timescales (hourly to daily) at five eddy covariance sites in Europe. The findings from TERRACARB will help us better predict how forests will continue to accumulate carbon in the face of climate change.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020

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Coordinator

CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION ECOLOGICA Y APLICACIONES FORESTALES
Net EU contribution
€ 172 932,48
Address
UNIVERSITAT AUTONOMA DE BARCELONA EDIFICI C
08193 BELLATERRA
Spain
Region
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
€ 172 932,48