Forest belowground carbon transport: From rhizosphere fluxes to physiological drivers

To facilitate predictions of carbon storage in changing climates and forests, scientists are looking at the trees. Tree carbon allocation dynamics are important, not only for tree eco-physiology, but also for global biogeochemistry. Despite extensive research in tree aboveground carbon fluxes, little is known about what is happening belowground. The EU-funded RHIZOCARBON project will investigate belowground carbon flow. It will study root respiration and growth and exudation. Computational models will be applied to identify the evolutionary requirements for the development of belowground carbon transfer. To trace belowground carbon transport, the project will apply a new methodology of continuous in vivo combined measurement of 13CO2 carbon allocation and flux rate.