Plant Climate Feedback

Plants are not only unilaterally affected by climate change; they also exert feedback effects that modify atmospheric composition and climate. Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) emitted by plants affect rainfall and the solar radiation balance through aerosol production, thereby altering the climate. This revolutionary area of academic research was established to create a new field elucidating this dynamic feedback between plants and climate from the genetic level. We will conduct large-scale gene expression analysis of forest ecosystems and real-time monitoring of volatile organic compound emissions and develop a plant climate feedback model. Consequently, we will establish a new field for predicting the future of ecosystems and the global environment.

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The constituents of the field of plant climate feedback possess a wide range of skills across several disciplines. We have diverse research backgrounds, including studies on the environmental responsiveness of BVOC biosynthesis and release, communication between plants, long-term field observation of BVOC release, future prediction using a chemical climate model, and changes in the seasonal activity (phenology) of plants. Moreover, the planning group comprises young researchers, and 50% are women. This diversity creates an atmosphere of freedom, producing an excellent environment for actively exchanging opinions and promoting the field. We will do our best to promote plant climate feedback research, driven by research in different fields and chemical reactions generated by encounters between people with different standpoints.

Head investigator

Akiko Satake