Plants, soil microorganisms and carbon sequestration in forest soils: links and interactions

The main project objective is to analyse and clarify the interactions between plant communities, belowground organisms and soil properties (with emphasis on the ability of the soil to sequestrate carbon) in natural forest stands and stands influenced by human activities (different management of forest stands, land use changes, invasive plant species). Understanding the plant and microbial community interactions and they role in the C sequestration may lead to the development of land-management model and practices, which can be followed in the increase of C sequestration potential of soils.