POPFACE

A European free air Carbon enrichment experiment on poplar plantations

Co-ordinator : G.E. Scarascia-Mugnoza

The main objective is to determine the functional responses of a cultivated, agro-forestry system, namely a poplar plantation to actual and future atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. Additionally, this project will yield data relevant to assess the potential for increasing the carbon sequestering capacity and the woody biomass production within European Union, using such forest tree plantations.

Specific objectives will include :

• Quantifying the stand carbon budget and estimating the above and below-ground biomass production in response to CO₂. Analysis of acclimation processes at the leaf and tree level. Studying the underlying growth mechanisms determining organ and tree growth responses to elevated CO₂.
• Understanding the effect of elevated CO₂ on trees and stand transpiration, stomatal functioning and leaf temperature.
• Describing changes occurring at the level of canopy architecture, their effects on light interception and utilisation and the interactions with different plant genotypes.
• Studying the interactions between nutrient supply and carbon metabolism and the influence of this on C/N ratios.
• Characterizing the effects of elevated CO₂ on soil processes as degradation of organic matter, soil respiration, root turnover and mycorrhizal functioning.
• Examining host-parasite interactions utilising fungi and insects within the experimental facility.

contact :

Guiseppe E. Scarascia-Mugnoza
Department of Forest Environment and Resources
Universityof Tuscia
Via S.C. De Lellis
01100 Viterbo
Italy
Tel: 39-761-357-395
Fax: 39-761-357-389
gscaras@unitus.it

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