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First‐year growth response of trees in an intact forest exposed to elevated CO 2
Author(s) -
Naidu Shawna L.,
Delucia Evan. H.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
global change biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.146
H-Index - 255
eISSN - 1365-2486
pISSN - 1354-1013
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2486.1999.00256.x
Subject(s) - liquidambar styraciflua , understory , canopy , basal area , ecosystem , aceraceae , botany , nutrient , biology , forest ecology , environmental science , maple , ecology
Summary Although elevated atmospheric CO 2 has been shown to increase growth of tree seedlings and saplings, the response of intact forest ecosystems and established trees is unclear. We report results from the first large‐scale experimental system designed to study the effects of elevated CO 2 on an intact forest with the full complement of species interactions and environmental stresses. During the first year of exposure to ^ 1.5 Ë ambient CO 2 , canopy loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda , L.) trees increased basal area growth rate by 24% but understorey trees of loblolly pine, sweetgum ( Liquidambar styraciflua L.), and red maple ( Acer rubrum L.) did not respond. Winged elm ( Ulmus alata Michx.) had a marginally significant increase in growth rate ( P = 0.069). These data suggest that this ecosystem has the capacity to respond immediately to a step increase in atmospheric CO 2 ; however, as exposure time increases, nutrient limitations may reduce this initial growth stimulation.