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H2020Individual fellowship2019–2021

3D-FOGROD · Understanding forest growth dynamics using novel 3D measurements and modelling approaches

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2019-10-01 → 2021-09-30
EU contribution
€178,320
Participants
1
Scheme
MSCA-IF-EF-ST

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Results in brief

Understanding forest growth dynamics using novel 3D measurements and modelling approaches

Estimates of the global distribution of terrestrial carbon sinks and sources are highly uncertain. Constraining the inaccuracy of carbon estimates is essential to support effective forest management and future climate mitigation. A better understanding of forest growth dynamics will improve our understanding of the carbon cycle and mechanisms responsible for terrestrial carbon sources and sinks, reducing uncertainties on their magnitude and distribution. This project aims to establish an approach to more accurately estimate (above-ground) forest growth, improve our understanding of forest growth dynamics and evaluate the role of elevated CO2 levels on forest growth. This project aims to achieve this by using novel 3D terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) techniques, unique datasets and state-of-the-art modelling approaches. 3D-FOGROD uses TLS data from EucFACE (Australia) and Wytham Woods (UK). In addition to observational methods at EucFACE, simulation models are widely used to study forest growth. Second-generation vegetation models, such as the Ecosystem Demography model 2 (ED2), include demographic processes and explicitly track fine-scale ecosystem structure and function, making them an ideal tool to improve our knowledge of forest growth dynamics. ED2 will be initiated using LiDAR-derived structural metrics from Wytham Woods. ED2 allows us to explicitly represent vegetation demographic processes and use fine-scale variation in the horizontal and vertical structure and composition of forest canopies. These are the objectives of 3D-FOREST: (1) Accurately quantify forest growth using TLS data in a free-air CO2 enrichment experiment to determine the effect of elevated CO2 levels on forest growth (2) Improve forest growth model dynamics using LiDAR derived forest structure to provide more accurate estimates of future carbon stocks (3) Develop and disseminate recommendations for using terrestrial laser scanning in forest growth dynamics and carbon cycling

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Forest ecosystems are an essential terrestrial carbon sink, and deforestation and forest degradation account for about 12% of global anthropogenic carbon emissions. However, estimates of the global distribution of terrestrial carbon sinks and sources are highly uncertain. Constraining the inaccuracy of carbon estimates is essential to support effective forest management and future climate mitigation. A better understanding of forest growth dynamics will improve our understanding of the carbon cycle and mechanisms responsible for terrestrial carbon sources and sinks, reducing uncertainties on their magnitude and distribution. In the 3D-FOGROD project, I aim to improve our understanding of forest growth dynamics and evaluate the role of elevated CO2 levels on forest growth. I will achieve this by using novel 3D laser scanning (LiDAR) techniques, unique datasets and state-of-the-art modelling approaches to (1) accurately quantify forest growth using terrestrial LiDAR data in a free-air CO2 enrichment experiment; (2) improve historical and future simulated forest growth dynamics using LiDAR derived forest structure for a range of forest ecosystems; and (3) develop and disseminate recommendations for climate mitigation actions to policy makers based on new insights in forest growth dynamics and carbon cycling. The proposed scientific innovation and applicability will benefit the EU not only by generating new knowledge and publications in high-profile scientific journals, which will contribute to the enhancement of EU scientific excellence, but also by contributing to EU commitments to the Paris climate conference (COP 21) agreement that aims to limit the increase in global temperature to 1.5°C. The science excellence and training through 3D-FOGROD will enable me to apply for senior research positions or an ERC starting grant in the future, which would allow me to establish my own research group focused on 3D terrestrial ecology.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • UNIVERSITEIT GENT · GentCoordinatorBelgium

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union