Summary
Over the centuries, exotic trees have been planted worldwide for the rehabilitation of degraded lands and to obtain financial benefits from wood, paper production, tannins, ornamental assets. However, despite being evolutionary naïve to the new environment outcompete the locally adapted native plants in resource acquisition, displace the native vegetation and may become invasive species. While the influence of exotic plantations on native vegetation structure and community composition is well documented, surprisingly, much less is known about how exotic tree plantations have altered the structure and function of the soil microbiome. Although soil conservation is integral for the achievement of socio-ecological sustainability, a comprehensive study focused on the biogeographical comparisons of cyclic linkages between exotic plants and soil microbes and its influence on the multiple ecosystem functions is lacking. This is urgently needed to better understand the impacts of exotic plantations on biodiversity and function along with interaction with other global change drivers such as climate change. Using Eucalyptus globulis and Pinus pinea as our model exotic tree species, the main aim of EXOFUN is to understand the influence of exotic plantations on the structure and function of the soil microbiome at a cross-continental scale by combining observational studies and greenhouse experiments. How do exotic tree plantations influence carbon sequestration, soil biodiversity maintenance, and the capacity of ecosystems to response to climate change compared with native forests? In the current UN-decade of ecosystem restoration, the outcomes of this project will help to understand that to what extent the plantation of the exotic species be allowed, or should we completely replace it with native plants to maximize the ecosystem services. The outcome will also contribute to the European mission (soil deal for Europe) to protect and restore soil across Europe by 2030.
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More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101105877 |
| Start date: | 01-09-2024 |
| End date: | 31-08-2026 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | - 181 152,00 Euro |
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Original description
Over the centuries, exotic trees have been planted worldwide for the rehabilitation of degraded lands and to obtain financial benefits from wood, paper production, tannins, ornamental assets. However, despite being evolutionary naïve to the new environment outcompete the locally adapted native plants in resource acquisition, displace the native vegetation and may become invasive species. While the influence of exotic plantations on native vegetation structure and community composition is well documented, surprisingly, much less is known about how exotic tree plantations have altered the structure and function of the soil microbiome. Although soil conservation is integral for the achievement of socio-ecological sustainability, a comprehensive study focused on the biogeographical comparisons of cyclic linkages between exotic plants and soil microbes and its influence on the multiple ecosystem functions is lacking. This is urgently needed to better understand the impacts of exotic plantations on biodiversity and function along with interaction with other global change drivers such as climate change. Using Eucalyptus globulis and Pinus pinea as our model exotic tree species, the main aim of EXOFUN is to understand the influence of exotic plantations on the structure and function of the soil microbiome at a cross-continental scale by combining observational studies and greenhouse experiments. How do exotic tree plantations influence carbon sequestration, soil biodiversity maintenance, and the capacity of ecosystems to response to climate change compared with native forests? In the current UN-decade of ecosystem restoration, the outcomes of this project will help to understand that to what extent the plantation of the exotic species be allowed, or should we completely replace it with native plants to maximize the ecosystem services. The outcome will also contribute to the European mission (soil deal for Europe) to protect and restore soil across Europe by 2030.Status
SIGNEDCall topic
HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01-01Update Date
12-03-2024
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