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Allometric determination of tree growth in a CO 2 ‐enriched sweetgum stand
Author(s) -
Norby Richard J.,
Todd Donald E.,
Fults Jason,
Johnson Dale W.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-8137.2001.00099.x
Subject(s) - liquidambar styraciflua , canopy , deciduous , leaf area index , allometry , dry weight , basal area , specific leaf area , plant litter , horticulture , botany , litter , tree allometry , biology , biomass (ecology) , environmental science , zoology , agronomy , nutrient , ecology , photosynthesis , biomass partitioning
Summary• In a free‐air CO 2 enrichment (FACE) study, above‐ground growth of Liquidambar styraciflua (sweetgum) trees was measured in a closed‐canopy stand to test hypotheses about long‐term effects of rising [CO 2 ] in a deciduous forest.• Allometric relationships were established between above‐ground dry mass and basal area, height, taper and wood density for all trees in the 314‐m 2 plots. Leaf area index was calculated from leaf litter mass.• In the first year of exposure, elevated [CO 2 ] stimulated stand‐level aboveground dry matter increment by 33%, but in the second year the growth stimulation was reduced to 15% and was no longer statistically significant. Leaf area index was not affected by CO 2 enrichment in either year.• These results indicate that large trees that are no longer in an exponential growth phase retain the capacity to respond to elevated [CO 2 ]. The combined 2‐yr response of a 24% increase in growth per unit leaf area is consistent with predictions from earlier studies. A longer‐term data set is needed to resolve the reason for different responses in the 2 years.