What happens to the carbon stored in temperate forests as atmospheric CO2 levels continue to rise? This is the question Shova Akter is investigating as her PhD research within the FutureForests MSCA Doctoral Network, working at the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Forest Research’s (BIFoR) FACE facility in central England.
Building on previous research that shows elevated CO2 can promote tree growth and increase the amount of carbon entering the soil through root system, in her research Shova is studying the fate of this additional carbon entering the soil. During her first year, she has been working on separating the soil carbon into distinct pools and examining the changes in the quantity and chemical compositions of these soil carbon.
Shova recently attended BIFoR’s annual meeting in July 2026, which had the theme ‘The Remembering Forest’ and celebrated a decade of CO₂ enrichment research at BIFoR FACE. Here Shova presented her early findings in the form of a research poster, and against fierce competition was awarded second place by the judges!
Shova’s work is now progressing to soil carbon and nitrogen analysis alongside advanced spectroscopic measurements to assess how higher atmospheric CO2 levels alter the storage and transformation of carbon in mature woodlands. Her work will contribute to a better understanding of the role of forest in soil carbon storage under future climate conditions.
We are very proud of Shova’s achievement and we look forward to following her research journey with FutureForests and the insights she will bring to our understanding of forest carbon cycling!