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International Conference
Research, monitoring and modelling in the study of climate change
and air pollution impacts on forest ecosystems
5-7 October 2010, Rome, Italy
The focus of the conference is on process-oriented research, long-term monitoring and applied modelling of climate change and air pollution impacts on forest ecosystems in Europe. Forests are facing significant pressures from climate change and air pollution. Climate change and air pollutant issues are closely linked and require more integrated experimental research, monitoring and modelling approaches. The existing national and European communities of experimental scientists, monitoring experts and modellers (atmospheric changes, biosphere-atmosphere fluxes, effects on forests) work separately and often do not have the opportunity to exchange data and concepts. In particular, monitoring of atmospheric changes should be linked to the biological reactions of forests. Impacts research is now considered as the next frontier of climate research. The conference is an opportunity for capturing synergies and integrating different scientific communities. The main focus will be on ozone, nitrogen, carbon sequestration, increased temperature and extreme climatic events.
The Conference is sponsored by COST Action FP0903 Climate change and FORest Mitigation and Adaptation in a polluted environment (MAFOR). Any scientist is welcome to contribute a presentation, about one of the following sessions:
1. Availability and evaluation of monitoring data at forest sites in Europe. The session aims at: reviewing current European projects on forest monitoring and their results; and providing guidelines for increased harmonisation of monitoring data at forest sites. Data access policy will be also discussed.
2. Scientific gaps and modelling. Contributions on current knowledge gaps, emerging research needs, and present models are welcome. Prospects will be prioritised based on their technical feasibility and added value for research and operational communities.
3. Towards supersites. To improve the understanding of the processes controlling forest responses to atmospheric changes, comprehensive forest research sites, referred to as supersites, are proposed. The aim is to develop new-generation sites where integrated soil, plant and atmospheric research and monitoring can be carried out. Contributions about rationale and requirements of supersites are welcome.
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