Researcher Manon Rumeau has explored rising atmospheric CO2 and how forest ecosystems modulate nitrogen. It’s hoped Manon’s research will benefit climate predictions providing more accurate estimates of carbon fluxes.
My research aimed to identify the mechanisms by which forest ecosystems may modulate nitrogen availability under eCO2, while providing experimental data to predict nutrient constraints to the CO2 fertilization effect under future atmospheres. The growth of trees is frequently limited by the availability of nitrogen in soils, which could potentially offset CO2 fertilization effect. Such experimental data is critical for improving biogeochemical models that estimate carbon fluxes and contribute to more precise climate protections.
As atmospheric CO2 levels rise, it’s theorized that trees may enhance their photosynthetic capacity, and increased CO2 uptake from the atmosphere. Understanding the complex microbial dynamics and tree-microbe interactions that regulate nitrogen availability in soils has became a crucial aspect for predicting carbon storage in forests.
The research was conducted in two Free Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment (FACE) facilities: Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) FACE located near Birmingham, UK, and EucFACE in New South Wales, Australia. My aims were to identify the mechanisms by which forest ecosystems may modulate N availability under eCO2, understand the interactions between C, N and P cycling and provide experimental data to predict nutrient constraints to the CO2 fertilization effect under future CO2 enriched atmospheres.
My research demonstrates that under elevated CO2, trees increase root production and stimulate soil microbial activity. This is by supplying carbon to microbes in exchange for nitrogen released from the decomposition of soil organic matter. Understanding how nitrogen may limit the predicted effect under future atmospheric CO2 concentration is crucial to accurately predict future storage in forests.
Understanding how nitrogen may limit the predicted “CO2 fertilization” effect under future atmospheric CO2 concentration is crucial to accurately predict future C storage in forests. Such experimental data is critical for improving biogeochemical models that estimate carbon fluxes and contribute to more precise climate projections.