Project description
CO2 capture in drought-stressed oak forests
While increased greenhouse gas concentrations can stimulate plant growth, water scarcity often limits nutrient availability, potentially negating any ecosystem benefits. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the Rhizo-CO2 project will examine how elevated CO2 levels and drought interact to influence forests’ ability to sequester carbon. The project will focus specifically on Quercus robur (oak tree), investigating how its root systems and associated soil microbes adapt to secure vital minerals during environmental stress. By investigating these underground biological mechanisms, Rhizo-CO2 seeks to determine if trees can continue to contribute to climate change mitigation. Ultimately, the results will provide a more accurate assessment of how future environmental changes might affect forest health and carbon storage over the long term.
Objective
The rising atmospheric carbon (C) dioxide (eCO2) concentration is predicted to increase C capture in plants. In
contrast, the frequent episodes of drought are expected to reduce the nutrient availability in soils and reduce
the C capture in plants. In addition to aboveground modifications, plant roots mediate nutrient availability in
soil by changing root architecture, and exuding C-rich metabolites to enhance microbial activity, whereas
microbes in the rhizosphere produce specific enzymes for the mineralization of organic matter for needed
nutrient supplies. It is unclear whether the eCO2 compensation of drought stress via enhanced water use
efficiency may help sustain C capture in forests under future climates. This project proposal directly addresses
this uncertainty around the interactive impacts of eCO2 and drought on Quercus robur whole plant-soil
system nutrient acquisition strategies, to enable robust and realistic assessment of the role of forests in
mitigating climate change.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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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.
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
B15 2TT Birmingham
United Kingdom
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.