Biogeochemical response of forest vegetation to chronic pollution : processes, dynamics and modelling

There is now increasing demand for large scale and for long term studies and modelling of forest-site-climate interactions (effect of CO2, climate changes, hydrological problematics, erosion, deforestation, phytostabilisation, …). At contaminated sites or for minimizing consequences of a possible radioactive leakage, the longevity of many radioactive isotopes requires similarly that safety assessments must also consider long time scales. Besides, dynamic ecosystem modelling is becoming essential for continuous (chronic) release situations and changing environments. An integrated understanding of the forest ecosystem functioning is a prerequisite to predictive modelling. Ecosystem studies are now at the stage to propose quantitative description of forest ecosystem functions and provide an opportunity to learn more about the long term recycling of various pollutants in a forest ecosystem. Topics to be covered at this workshop include:  biogeochemical cycling of major and trace element in forest ecosystem with emphasis on the processes involved  localization of water and element uptake  tree response to underground water contamination  integrated and process-based forest modelling