Introduction
Headwater catchments play a crucial role in the hydrological cycle and in regulating greenhouse gases (GHG). These ecosystems act as sources or sinks of CO2, depending on their geological characteristics, vegetation, soil type, and hydrological processes. Water is fundamental for these interactions, as it facilitates biochemical reactions and transports nutrients. However, human activities have altered these dynamics both locally and globally, through changes in land use, atmospheric nutrient deposition (N and P), and climate change.
The SERVICO2 project investigates how these factors affect the ability of headwater catchments to regulate CO2 and other GHGs, such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Through an interdisciplinary approach, the project aims to generate knowledge applicable to environmental management and climate policies.
Objectives
SERVICO2 addresses two key questions:
- How are ecosystem services (ES) delivered in headwater catchments, and what trade-offs or synergies exist between aquatic ES and climate regulation? This includes analyzing management practices and their effectiveness in enhancing CO2 regulation and mitigating climate change.
- Are headwater catchments currently acting as sinks or sources of CO2 and other GHGs? How is this status changing due to atmospheric deposition, climate change, and land use? Several hypotheses are proposed concerning the fertilizing effect of N and P, the impact of rising temperatures on weathering and respiration processes, and the influence of land use on these dynamics.
These objectives are developed by an international consortium of hydrologists, biogeochemists, and experts in sensors and modeling, with experience in researching soil-water-atmosphere interactions in mountain catchments.
Methodology
To achieve these objectives, SERVICO2 integrates multiple methodological approaches:
- Monitoring headwater catchments: Measurements will be conducted in 13 catchments across Europe, covering a wide range of climatic and N-P deposition gradients. The field station network will collect data on carbon fluxes, water quality, and meteorological conditions.
- New sensor technologies: Low-cost sensors will be developed for high-resolution temporal and spatial detection of GHG fluxes in water and soil. Automated flux chambers and electronic olfactometry technologies will be tested to quantify CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions.
- Analysis and modeling: Meta-analyses of existing databases will be performed, and models will be developed to estimate carbon balances at the catchment scale. Biogeochemical process models will be combined with machine learning methods (random forest) to improve prediction and scalability of results.
- Socio-ecological assessment: Co-creation workshops will be held in five countries to incorporate stakeholder perceptions in evaluating aquatic ecosystem services and their relevance for decision-making on climate change and environmental management.
SERVICO2 represents a significant step forward in understanding the role of headwater catchments in climate regulation, integrating aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in this context for the first time. The project’s results will contribute to improving conservation strategies and the management of ecosystem services in response to global change.
