Forest wildfires lead to the production of chemically altered biomass residues known as pyrogenic organic matter (pyOM), which has been thought to be highly resistant and contribute to soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. A significant portion of pyOM may, however, be utilized by soil biota and as such may be fragmented, digested, and released as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere or stabilized in the soil. In addition, soil succession after the fire event and climate change may have a significant effect on all of the biotic processes. Here, we observe successional changes in the soil properties on a 100-year post-fire chronosequence in pine forests in the Mediterranean, temperate, and boreal zones and along the soil profile. The focus is on the effect of increased temperature on the transformation and stabilization of pyOM by soil faunal and microbial communities. The proposed project consists of field samplings and observations, 13C-labelled pine litter and pyOM production, as well as a slightly manipulated field experiment and a heavily manipulated laboratory experiment.
Thematic areas
Biodiversity Tackling pollution and restorationProject contribution to Mission Soil’s:
Specific objectives
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1. Reduce land degradation relating to desertification
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2. Conserve and increase soil organic carbon stocks
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3. No net soil sealing and increase the reuse of urban soils
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4. Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration
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5. Prevent erosion
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6. Improve soil structure to enhance habitat quality for soil biota and crops
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7. Reduce the EU global footprint on soils
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8. Increase soil literacy in society across Member States
Not targeted
Operational objectives
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1. Build capacities and the knowledge base for soil stewardship
Not targeted
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2. Co-create and upscale place-based innovations to improve soil health in all places
Partially targeted
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3. Develop an integrated EU soil monitoring system and track progress towards soil health
Not targeted
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4. Engage with the soil user community and society at large
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Innovation hotspots
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1. Carbon farming
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2. Soil pollution and restoration
Targeted
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3. Soil biodiversity including the microbiome
Targeted
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4. Circular economy solutions
Not targeted
Cross-cutting dimensions
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1. Business
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2. Digital
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3. Territorial
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4. International
Not targeted
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