Anthropogenic activity has resulted in increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄), with consequent increased warming of the atmosphere and changes in precipitation patterns. Altered climatic and atmospheric conditions will affect the environmental control of fundamental processes in terrestrial ecosystems including gaseous exchange processes across the soil-plant boundary layer.

The aim of this project is to measure fluxes of greenhouse gases in response to future climatic conditions. The work will encompass field measurements in climate-manipulated plots at the CLIMAITE experimental site. These measurements may be combined with process-oriented studies under well-defined conditions e.g. by controlled water and nitrogen additions to field plots adjacent to the Climaite plots or in the laboratory.

The measurements are based on a manual gas-flux chambers applied in the field. Studies of general green house gas emissions are already carried out at the site by regular monthly sampling. However, these can be combined with more detailed measurements at “hot spot” situations, e.g. rewetting, freeze/thaw cycles, day/night. The results will provide basis for an overall evaluation of climatic feed-back effects on terrestrial ecosystems.

Contact (More contact info - press here):

Per Ambus, Risø, per.ambus@risoe.dk; Anders Michelsen, KU, andersm@bi.ku.dk; Claus Beier, Risø, claus.beier@risoe.dk; Merete Bang Selsted, Risø, merete.bang.selsted@risoe.dk; Klaus Steenberg Larsen, Risø, klaus.steenberg.larsen@risoe.dk