Objective Quantifying terrestrial carbon storage and predicting the sensitivity of ecosystems to global climate change relies on the ability to separately investigate photosynthesis and respiration. The oxygen (18O/16O) isotope ratios of CO2 and water can substantially advance our understanding of how carbon and water cycle through the terrestrial biosphere. This is because a large isotopic disequilibrium often exists between the oxygen isotope composition of CO2 exchanged by leaves and soils with the atmosphere making it a powerful independent tool for quantifying and understanding variability in the CO2 gross fluxes of the terrestrial biosphere. The aim of LATIS is to improve our understanding of C18OO fluxes between the terrestrial biosphere and the atmosphere. We will achieve this by: 1) elucidating the role of soil biology on the oxygen isotope composition of the net soil CO2 flux, 2) incorporating up-to-date theoretical models of C18OO exchange from foliage and soils into the unique soil-vegetation-atmosphere transfer model, MuSICA-iso and, 3) developing and testing new theory to mechanistically interpret the oxygen isotope signals of CO2 exchanged between tree stems and the atmosphere and how they relate to tree physiology. LATIS is a multi-disciplinary project utilising state-of-the-art field measurements observing the continuous fluctuation of branch, stem and soil isofluxes. These observations will be used to validate the novel models developed in LATIS. This innovative and ambitious approach will result in: 1) an improved understanding of the oxygen isotope CO2 exchange between the terrestrial biosphere and the atmosphere, 2) the development of a state-of-the-art soil-vegetation-atmosphere water and CO2 isotope exchange model and, 3) a deeper understanding of oxygen isotope signals involved during the transport of water and carbon within plants and how these processes are preserved in wood cellulose. Fields of science natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesmeteorologybiosphera Keywords Anhydrase Atmosphere Biosphere Carbon Carbonic Climate Ecosystems Isofluxes Isotopes Modelling Oxygen Phloem Photosynthesis Respiration SVAT Sugars Terrestrial Transfer Turbulent Water Xylem Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008 - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE POUR L'AGRICULTURE, L'ALIMENTATION ET L'ENVIRONNEMENT EU contribution € 173 401,73 Address 147 RUE DE L'UNIVERSITE 75007 Paris France See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Yves Brunet (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data