Bilberry Ecology and the Regeneration of forest Ecosystem Functioning

Informations projet

BEREFT

N° de convention de subvention: 101107791

DOI

10.3030/101107791

Projet clôturé le 28 Février 2025

Date de signature de la CE 18 Juillet 2023

Date de début 1 Mai 2024

Date de fin 30 Avril 2026

Financé au titre de

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Coût total

Aucune donnée

Contribution de l’UE

€ 226 751,04

Coordonné par

NORGES MILJO-OG BIOVITENSKAPELIGE UNIVERSITET
Norway

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BEREFT (Bilberry Ecology and the Regeneration of forest Ecosystem Functioning)

Période du rapport: 2024-05-01 au 2026-04-30

Résumé du contexte et des objectifs généraux du projet

Bilberry, Vaccinium myrtillus, is a key plant species of the boreal forest. While better known for its deep blue berries, bilberry may have an important role in the nutrient cycle of the boreal forest ecosystem. Bilberry’s positive role in the forest is threatened as previous research has shown that it is impacted through forest management practices potentially reducing its contribution to the forest ecosystem. The project’s objective was to examine bilberry’s traits in both formerly clear-cut and near-natural forests within Norway to better understand how forest management practices impact its role in the forest nutrient cycle. Given that bilberry can be a dominant species in the forest understory, it could have a large impact on stores of carbon and nitrogen in forest soil. Management of soil carbon and nutrients are an important aspect of the forest ecosystem, and the ecosystem services it provides.

Travail effectué depuis le début du projet jusqu’à la fin de la période considérée dans le rapport et principaux résultats atteints jusqu’à présent

The project collected bilberry leaves and measured their chemical composition. The project also prototyped a method to collect in-situ root exudates. The fellow received training from the host in chemical and forest ecology.

Progrès au-delà de l’état des connaissances et impact potentiel prévu (y compris l’impact socio-économique et les conséquences sociétales plus larges du projet jusqu’à présent)

The project examined the chemical composition of bilberry leaves across a range of elements. Given bilberry’s relatively large annual production of leaves, the addition of these elements in litterfall likely represents a considerable pool added to the forest litter layer. The loss of bilberry through management practices may therefore reduce these litter inputs. Further efforts can quantify and understand the importance of bilberry’s role in nutrient cycling and its impact on forest yields and management.

Bilberry in a Norwegian forest