It is currently very dificult to develop policies for global climate change because of unresolved scientific uncertains, especially about sources and sinks of the two most important greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide and methane. These gases are the major causes of changes in atmospheric composition that may force climate change. Policy and decision makers would like to know with a high level of confidence what would be the likely outcomes of actions affecting the carbon cycle and these gases in particular.

The CARBODIN project will provide scientific information critical to reducing uncertainties on these greenhouse gases at the local and regional level in some selected sites in Romania. The research will focus on the dynamic exchange of these gases between atmosphere and some terrestrial ecosystems (from Romania). The knowledge of this dynamic helps us to account for sources and sinks of CO2 and CH4 at the selected sites.

The key innovation of the CARBODIN project is in its conception as to apply single comprehensive experimental strategy, and its integration into a carbon data assimilation network.

The CARBODIN adresses scientific and policy issues by focusing on a number of strategic objectives:

- developing improved methodologies for measuring and monitoring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

- determing the nature and causes of natural variations in the carbon cycle, including feedbacks, thus providing climate change forecasting capabilities

- promoting international cooperation and integration in the similar European network (e.g. Stable Isotopes in Biosphere-Atmosphere Exchange-SIBAE)