Cohomology with free coefficients of the fundamental group of a graph of groups (Q1070346)

Let G be the fundamental group of a finite graph of groups of type \(FP_ n\). (Recall that a group A is of type \(FP_ n\) if the \({\mathbb{Z}}A\)-module \({\mathbb{Z}}\) with trivial A-action has a projective resolution which is finitely generated in dimensions \(\leq n.)\) By standard Bass-Serre theory there is a certain tree T on which G acts. Let \(T_ 0\), \(T_ 1\) be the set of vertices and positively oriented edges of T and let \(Y_ i\) \((i=0,1)\) be a set of representatives for \(T_ i mod G\). There is a Mayer-Vietoris sequence \[ ...\to H^ q(G,{\mathbb{Z}}G)\to \prod_{v\in Y_ 0}H^ q(G_ v,{\mathbb{Z}}G)\to^{\alpha}\prod_{e\in Y_ 1}H^ g(G_ e,{\mathbb{Z}}G)\to... \] where, for \(t\in T\), \(G_ t\) is the isotropy subgroup of G at t [\textit{I. M. Chiswell}, J. Pure Appl. Algebra 8, 63-74 (1976; Zbl 0328.20030)]. The authors give an interpretation, in dimensions \(\leq n\), of \(\alpha\) and its kernel and cokernel in terms of the tree T. They deduce conditions for \(\alpha\) to be a monomorphism, which extends results of \textit{R. Bieri} for HNN extensions and amalgamated products [Homological dimension of discrete groups (1976; Zbl 0357.20027) Theorems 6.3, 6.6, Proposition 9.16(b)]. They treat in some detail the case of an HNN extension. In particular, they show that if \(G=<H,x\); \(x^{-1}K_{-1}x=K_ 1>\) where H and \(K_{-1}\) are of type \(FP_ n\) and if the restriction map \(H^ q(H,{\mathbb{Z}}H)\to H^ q(K_{-1},{\mathbb{Z}}H)\) is a monomorphism for some \(q\geq n\), then the map \(H^ q(H,{\mathbb{Z}}G)\to^{\alpha}H^ q(K_{-1},{\mathbb{Z}}G)\) in the Mayer- Vietoris sequence is a monomorphism.