Effects of climate, disturbance and nitrogen fertilization on the carbon balance of forests in western canada

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Northern temperate and boreal forests are large reservoirs of biomass and soil carbon (C), and make a major contribution to gross global photosynthesis. It is important to better understand the response of these C pools to climate change, to study the impact of increased disturbance in recent years, and to develop management practices that will enhance their C sink strength. This research will be conducted in boreal, sub-boreal and West Coast temperate forest stands. Our objectives are to (1) study the impact of climatic variability on net ecosystem productivity (NEP), gross ecosystem photosynthesis (P) and ecosystem respiration (R), (2) quantify the effects of environmental factors, phenology and P on R and soil respiration (Rs), (3) partition Rs between its heterotrophic and rhizospheric components, (4) assess the effect of nitrogen fertilization on the C balance and N2O emissions in different-aged West Coast Douglas-fir stands, and (5) determine the impact of mountain pine beetle (MPB) attack on the C and water balances of mature sub-boreal lodgepole pine stands.