NextGenCarbon: Monitoring Earth's Carbon Balance

The NextGenCarbon project aims to develop the next generation of global carbon models. To this end, the terrestrial carbon cycle will be represented more accurately by combining Earth observation data, in situ measurements, innovative vegetation models, and advanced data assimilation. The results will form the basis for informed political decisions on climate policy and land use.

NextGenCarbon improves in particular:

• methods for monitoring carbon fluxes and sinks in Europe
• the representation of natural disturbances such as storms, forest fires, or insect infestations
• the integration of models and observational data for a more accurate representation of the carbon cycle
• the development of scenarios for sustainable soil carbon management strategies
• the provision of reliable carbon budgets to support policy decisions at the EU level

As a project partner, we coordinate Work Package 5 (WP5), which focuses on anthropogenic and natural disturbances in the carbon cycle. Our central tool is the semi-empirical bookkeeping model BLUE, which we are developing further within the project to achieve higher spatial resolution and improved growth curves for renewable forests. Another focus is the integration of disturbances such as windthrow (storms), forest fires, and insect infestation. This will make it possible to better quantify the influence of these factors on CO₂ uptake through reforestation and regrowth after wood harvest, as well as the associated uncertainties.

Beyond WP5, we are also involved in:

• WP7: Coordination of greenhouse gas budgets in the land-use sector and integration into the Global Carbon Budget (GCB)
• WP8: Scenario modelling of climate risks and their impact on carbon fluxes

NextGenCarbon combines model innovation with political relevance to provide the data basis for effective, resilient carbon policy in Europe.