1. Stable Isotopes in Biosphere-Atmosphere-Earth Exchange - SIBAE
Start date: 25/05/2009
End date: 24/05/2013
Year: 1
Pascal Boeckx
MC member
Ghent University / Belgium

2. Scientific context and objectives (1/3)
Background / Problem statement
Predicting impacts of global change on the Earth system requires detailed understanding of interactions between biota and biogeochemical processes in different environments and management regimes
Stable isotopes are a powerful tool for studying such interactions in natural and managed ecosystems, offering insights beyond classical methodologies
General objective: using stable isotopes in C, N, O and water cycles as a research tool in Biosphere-Atmosphere-Earth research across scales and disciplines

3. Scientific context and objectives (2/3)
Brief reminder of MoU objectives:
Synthesize existing isolated stable isotope experiments on carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and water cycles to identify innovative process- and system-oriented research areas
Assess current state-of-the-art models to improve process representation and to better link experimental and modeling communities
Benchmark and advance innovative cutting-edge technologies for stable isotope analysis to stimulate interdisciplinary research
Train early-stage researchers from diverse disciplines

4. Scientific context and objectives (3/3)
A multidisciplinary approach (geology, hydrology, soil science, microbiology, plant sciences, ecosystem science, biogeochemistry, ecosystem modeling) to integrate research efforts
Via specialized workshops, conferences, training schools, exchange visits, questionnaires, involvement of manufacturers, web site
To deliver position/review papers, publications, protocols/guidelines, teaching material, improved (soil) models, meta database, …
Allowing interactions beyond SIBAE

5. Four Working Groups
Review and synthesis of existing isolated experiments using stable isotopes as quantitative tool to understand, trace and partition C, N, O and water cycles within Biosphere-Atmosphere-Earth and identify innovative process- and system-oriented research areas
Assess current state of the art models to improve process presentation, particularly of the soil component, based on stable isotope studies and to better link experimental and modeling communities
Harmonizing and benchmarking the development of cutting edge technologies for stable isotope analyses
Training and capacity building in stable isotope applications across Europe

6. Results (year 1) vs. Objectives – WG 1
Meta database of stable isotope experiments; provide access to data (modelers, related research communities,…)
Review publications
Guidelines and recommendations for future research experiments
WG is set-up, working plans agreed and STSMs set-up
Isotope user directory exists
Cross-cutting workshop in Ascona in March 2010
Publication in highly-ranked journal (New Phytologist)
New Webpage „IsoNumbers“ up and running (will be supported with STSM later this yr)

7. Results (year 1) vs. Objectives – WG 2
Review publication of current state of the art models and critical assessment of performance
Define framework for a new generation of process based soil models
Recommendations for critical experiments to advance the capabilities of soil models to simulate appropriate soil processes
WG is set-up and working plans agreed and STSMs set-up
Two workshops: Innsbruck in Sept and Nancy in March 2010
Recommendations for new labelling experiments are available on-line (free access)
Two joint review manuscripts planned

8. Results (year 1) vs. Objectives – WG 3
Guidelines for best practice calibration routines and data quality assurance
Meta-database of existing facilities/experiments making this information available for the modeling community
WG is set-up and working plans agreed and STSMs set-up
Questionnaire on relevant equipment has been sent out
First example of continuous N2O isotopomer measurements has been reported. New methodology can be used under controlled conditions, but is also field-deployable for environmental studies (Emmenegger, CH)

9. Results (year 1) vs. Objectives – WG 4
Website including database from WG1, 2 and 3, teaching material, and links to research groups in Europe
Network of students and early stage scientists trained in the application of stable isotopes in biosphere-atmosphere-Earth system research
Recommendation of improved laboratory expertise by expert training for lab technicians
Questionnaire technical expertise and teaching material has been send out; data are being processed
No training school announced due to financial constraints, financed STSMs instead. Plan for the future: join on-going training activities

10. Significant highlights (1/2) Outcome and achievements
Cross cutting workshop (WG 1, 2, 3) jointly with sister program BASIN (USA): position papers planned, one published
Questionnaires for a common, public meta-database WG3: available compound specific IRMS and laser spectroscopy stable isotope analyses; WG4: Technical/scientific staff in stable isotope laboratories and sharing teaching material,…
Application (Tiirola, FI) to the NordForsk fund to establish a Nordic network for Stable Isotope Research (NordSIR) submitted in March 2010
Detailed plans and first outlines for MC Initial Training network, ESF research network and EUROCORES call

11. Significant highlights (2/2) Impact, outreach and EU added value
Since the Kick-off in May 2009, three new countries have joined the Action (Austria, Serbia, Slovak Republic) and two nations intend to become members (Greece, Croatia), one nation is working on it (Norway).
Website is up and running since the very beginning (2009), with freely accessible, valuable information for all interested „isotopists“, e.g., best practise recommendations
Joint 13C labelling experiments (Switzerland, Germany and Austria)
Several new proposals (national, EU) have been submitted

12. Coordination, management and internal functioning
Coordination and management is based on different means:
, internet (web page with intra-net), MC, WG and cross-cutting meetings.
A core group (Chair, WG leaders) decides on STSMs, 4 deadlines per yr.
The grantholder system creates more work for the Chair, but offers better flexibility.
New: MC approved cost-neutral budget shifts among different meetings within the category “Meetings”, so chair/grantholder is more flexible allocating money for later meetings. In addition: If money is left in “Meetings” category and will not be used in current financial yr, this money can be shifted to STSMs.
Encouragement of younger scientists:
Within the MC, 17% are early stage scientists
11 Applications of early stage researchers for STSMs (6 were granted)

13. Action Parties Grant Holder: Prof. Nina Buchmann
GH Institution: ETH Zurich
GH Representative: Prof. Nina Buchmann
GH Country: Switzerland
Application of The University of Western Australia pending (submitted Jan. 2010)

14. Action participants

15. Geographical impact COST Countries: 21 Chair : Switzerland
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovak Republik Spain, Sweden, UK
Non-COST institutions:
Australia, New Zealand (pending)

16. Use of COST instruments
YR 1
YR 2
YR 3
YR 4
No. of MC / WG meetings
MC = 3 / WG = 3
No. of STSMs 6
No. of workshops / conferences
1 (joint SIBAE/BASIN)
No. of joint publications 10
No. of training schools
0 (financial Constraints)
GASG (activities)
Poster, website

17. Strengths and weaknesses
Setting up the Action went very fast
Earlier contacts among participants increased output speed
First joint publications are already out
Proposal for a Nordic network for stable isotope scientists
Initial problems on financial processing (CH vs. EU) have been solved
Thus, no key difficulties were encountered in the first year.
June 2010 (2nd yr): link to companies producing laser systems (joint workshop close to Zurich, CH)

18. Challenges Any problems:
Lost STSM application after ecost software change
STSMs with starting date in current financial yr and ending date in next financial yr do not show in ecost (current financial yr). This makes planning and approval of application difficult/impossible.  Suggestion: Show all STSM applications as they are submitted
There seems to be no notification s any longer when STSM application are submitted. True? Why?
Any support from the DC? Support fine when needed
Any significant deviations from the work plan last year (e.g. new research directions)? no
What are critical phases to be implemented or topics to be addressed next year? No critical phases anticipated