FutureForests: Responses of European Forests to Global Change

FUTUREFORESTS is a proposal for EU-Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (ITN). The project aims to train 15 next generation scientists in assessing the impacts of global change on European forests utilising a unique network of European flagship field facilities covering the dominant forest types and regions. The proposed doctoral programme uses these facilities to address emerging research questions and engages 10 beneficiaries and 10 associated partners for delivering an interdisciplinary, integrated and transferable career skills programme. Across the proposed ITN, projects investigate tree, soil and ecosystem processes, combining experimentation and modelling, and address issues of biodiversity, the vulnerability to pest and diseases and fire risk reduction. The WSL contribution requests funding for a PhD student for assessing the effect of drought and the recovery thereof on belowground C and N pools and fluxes in the VPD drought manipulation facility at Pfynwald.