Stable Isotopes and Biogeochemical Cycles in Terrestrial Ecosystems

— Coupling Plant and Soil Processes Across Spatial and Temporal Scales —

Aim & Scope

This conference aims to bring together an interdisciplinary group of scientists applying stable isotopes of C, O, H, and N, as well as radiocarbon for tracing fluxes of carbon, water and nitrogen in terrestrial ecosystems, unravelling plant and soil interactions, including species effects, and their coupling at various temporal and spatial scales.

The conference will synthesize the most recent insights and elaborate on the forthcoming challenges for an improved understanding of plant – soil interactions in relation to biogeochemical cycles and will consolidate experimental and modelling approaches. The conference thus aims to contribute to an improved understanding of biogeochemical cycles in a changing environment and their direct and indirect feedbacks on the climate system. Recent developments in stable isotope technologies, i.e. laser spectroscopy and compound-specific mass spectrometry created a unique opportunity to study plant – soil interactions, e.g. online measurements during pulse-labelling experiments. The conference is a place to summarize these recent developments and to identify emerging issues and the potential for synergistic activities across the isotope research community.

Conference Organisation

The conference will be organised with morning and evening lectures by senior and early-career scientists including topic-based parallel workshops in the afternoon to create an output oriented atmosphere. By providing a focal point for interdisciplinary exchange and synthetic exploration, the conference aims to make a relevant contribution to harmonizing and integrating perspectives in biological, biogeochemical and atmospheric sciences in a rapidly developing field of research. The conference is linked to international activities in Europe (COST-SIBAE) and in the US (BASIN) and aims to define the baseline for a thematic issue in an internationally leading journal, including the development of a perspectives paper.

Participation

Conference space is limited to 60 participants. Acceptance for participation will be based on abstract review. There are currently 15 open slots for oral presentation and 30 open slots for poster presentations.

Key dates

1. October 2009  - Call for Abstracts
6. November 2009 - Deadline for Submission of Abstracts

during November/December 2009 - Selection of Abstracts for Presentations and Posters

Beginning of Jan. 2010 - Registration starts

 

Link to Host: www.tep.ethz.ch and www.gl.ipw.agrl.ethz.ch