Josephine Huet

UMR IMBE

PhD student / Oct 2023 to Oct 2028

Experimental disentangling of drought vs. warming effects on microbial activity and carbon dynamics in Mediterranean forest soils.

This doctoral project adopts an integrative, mechanistic framework combining in situ manipulations with controlled laboratory experiments to evaluate how climate change affects soil biodiversity and carbon dynamics in Mediterranean forest ecosystems. The research will focus on (1) litter‑decomposition processes, CO₂ and BVOC emissions driven by biological activity, and (2) soil‑carbon sequestration under the individual and combined influences of drought and warming.

Jeanne Poughon

UMR CEFE

PhD student / Oct 2024 to Oct 2027

Effects of drought on carbon assimilation and allocation in the living biomass of forest trees

This doctoral project aims to quantify how drought‑induced reductions in carbon assimilation alter the allocation of carbon among tree organs — including stems, roots, foliage and reproductive tissues. The research will leverage five long‑term precipitation‑manipulation experiments across contrasting forest ecosystems (three Mediterranean forests, one temperate forest and one eucalyptus plantation), complemented by eddy‑covariance carbon‑flux data from several ICOS sites to capture both experimental and interannual variability in water availability.

The work will combine the synthesis of existing datasets with the acquisition of new measurements using standardised and innovative protocols, with a strong focus on below‑ground processes, which remain insufficiently documented in forest ecology. The thesis will revolve around three core research themes: (i) linking photosynthetic carbon uptake to stem growth; (ii) assessing drought effects on tree architecture and above‑ground carbon allocation; and (iii) quantifying below‑ground carbon allocation and its sensitivity to water stress.

My Mission in 180s / Drought effects on carbon assimilation and allocation in living tree biomass in forests