Will Arctic ‘greening’ increase net ecosystem carbon sequestration?

Abstract:
The ‘Arctic amplification’ of climate change, together with an associated ‘greening of the Arctic’, have widely been assumed to result in increased ecosystem-level sequestration of carbon (C) from the atmosphere; thus constituting a potential negative feedback on climate change. In this seminar, Phil will take a critical look at this idea, drawing from his personal research experience, together with that of the broader research community. The pivotal role of mechanistic processes in the ‘mycorrhizosphere’ (the soil and organisms directly influenced by roots and mycorrhizal fungi), together with the interactions between shifting plant functional composition and pre-existing soil organic matter, will be highlighted.

Location: W&N building, Room WN-S655