Descripción del proyecto
Un nuevo método para descubrir flujos de carbono subterráneos
Los científicos están estudiando los árboles para mejorar las estimas de almacenamiento de carbono en climas y bosques cambiantes. La dinámica de la captura de carbono por parte de los árboles no solo es importante para la ecofisiología de los árboles, sino también para la biogeoquímica mundial. A pesar de los numerosos estudios realizados sobre los flujos de carbono superficiales en árboles, aún se dispone de muy poca información sobre los flujos subterráneos. El proyecto financiado con fondos europeos RHIZOCARBON investigará el flujo de carbono subterráneo. Para ello, estudiará tanto la respiración y el crecimiento radicular como la exudación radicular. Se emplearán modelos computacionales para identificar los requisitos evolutivos relacionados con el desarrollo del transporte subterráneo de carbono. Para rastrear el transporte subterráneo de carbono, el proyecto usará una nueva metodología de medición combinada continua «in vivo» de la captura de carbono y la tasa de flujo del 13CO2.
Objetivo
Trees are unique in that responses at the organism level, being upscaled to forest canopies, bear large effects on the cycling and distribution of water and carbon in regional and global scales. Hence, tree carbon allocation dynamics are central not only to tree eco-physiology but also to global biogeochemistry. While tree aboveground carbon fluxes have been extensively studied, belowground fluxes, such as root respiration, growth and exudation have been mostly overlooked due to poor access to the root system. This project is set to address this knowledge disparity by answering key questions concerning belowground carbon flow.
In one line of research, we will study the trees' “in-house” management of carbon flow, inspired by our recently achieved first comprehensive tree carbon balance calculation, which indicates that carbon reserves serve as a buffer that accommodates large fluctuations in carbon supply and demand. This will be complemented by an exploration of the inter-tree carbon supply network of mycorrhizal fungi routes, an investigation prompted by our discovery that mature trees in a mixed forest transfer unprecedented amounts of carbon among each other via fungal networks. Computational models will be applied to identify the evolutionary requirements for the development of belowground carbon transfer in a mycorrhizal network.
We will dive into the highly complex soil system not in an artificial medium system – but in a mixed forest site, complemented by greenhouse experiments simulating forest tree communities. To trace below-ground carbon transport, we will apply our novel methodology of continuous, in vivo, combined measurement of 13CO2 carbon allocation and flux rate.
This novel ‘rhizosphere expedition’ will decipher the key belowground carbon transport processes, shedding light on the extent to which trees and fungi regulate them and facilitating predictions of carbon storage in changing climate and forests.
Ámbito científico
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
ERC-STG - Starting GrantInstitución de acogida
7610001 Rehovot
Israel