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Understanding responses and resilience of central Congo basin forests to a changing environment – FORMONCO II

Ongoing

Congo basin forests are very poorly investigated, because of logistic and research capacity constraints. Efforts of Congolese Universities and Ghent University resulted in unique data on carbon and nitrogen cycling in the central Congo basin. We wish to continue and further specify our research, education and outreach efforts by investigating the role of nutrients for forest growth and resilience. Here we test the hypothesis that atmospheric nitrogen deposition is a key driver for functioning of Congo basin forests. Therefore we will 1) develop a preliminary forest nitrogen budget and continue previous nitrogen deposition monitoring; 2) investigate in situ nitrogen and phosphorous dynamics, and 3) investigate origin and chemical speciation of atmospheric nitrogen input. This will improve carbon sequestration predictions, a key ecosystem service. Our research relates to UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially with #15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Intervention type

TEAM projects

Duration

01/01/2018 - 31/12/2021

This project is being implemented in:
Flemish promoter Pascal Boeckx
Local promoter Basile Mujinya Bazirake
Local partner institution Universiteit Gent
visit www.ugent.be
Local partner institution Université de Lubumbashi
visit http://www.unilu.ac.cd/
Other local partners Université de Kisangani
Université Catholique de Bukavu
Budget € 279.984