Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds in the Carbon - Chemistry - Climate system : present, past, and future Projections (EuroVOC4)

The aim of the Programme on EuroVOC⁴ is to provide informed knowledge on the biochemical, physiological and ecological controls of BVOC emissions and their interactions with atmospheric processes. Of particular importance are the roles played by biological (e.g., herbivory, developmental stage, plant metabolism and gross primary productivity), environmental (e.g., atmospheric CO₂ concentration, O₃ levels and other oxidative stress) and climatic (e.g., temperature, precipitation, water stress) variables.

EuroVOC⁴ aims to investigate, based on experimental work, satellite data and modelling studies, the species-specific, ecosystem, regional and global BVOC emission patterns in past, present and projected future climates. It will investigate the impact of BVOC on regional pollution episodes, on the atmospheric composition evolution and on the radiative forcing of climate, through the formation of secondary organic aerosol and other mechanisms.

EuroVOC⁴ will also provide the basis to assess the related regional and global climate and chemistry feedbacks on emissions in a coupled biosphere-atmosphere system. A strong interdisciplinary collaboration is required for this type of research that covers e.g., biological, physical, chemical and meteorological science aspects over a broad range of time and space scales. All terrestrial ecosystems and all volatile organic compounds of biogenic origin will be considered.  

• The EuroVOC⁴ Preparatory Workshop was held in Brussels on 19 November 2007. 
  
• Click here to access the DRAFT version of the EuroVOC⁴ Call for Outline Proposals. Please note that this call is not open yet. It is expected that it will be published in March 2008 following agreement with the Funding Agencies who are going to support this Programme.