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Nutrient limitation of the long term response of heather [ Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull] to CO 2 enrichment
Author(s) -
WOODIN S.,
GRAHAM B.,
KILLICK A.,
SKIBA U.,
CRESSER M.
Publication year - 1992
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 - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1992.tb00091.x
Subject(s) - calluna , nutrient , biomass (ecology) , peat , agronomy , botany , precipitation , environmental science , chemistry , biology , zoology , ecology , ericaceae , geography , meteorology
summary In a 27‐month CO 2 ‐enrichment experiment, Calluna vulgaris plants were grown on peat obtained from an upland heath in NE Scotland and given a nutrient supply which mimicked that in precipitation in the area. Three CO 2 concentrations were used; ambient, +100ppm and +200ppm. Calluna showed a negative growth response to increased CO 2 over the first year of treatment and a positive response by the end of the experiment. Final above–ground biomass was greatest in the enriched CO 2 , treatments, showing an increase of 30 ° 0 in + 100ppmCO 2 . Determination of tissue nutrient concentration, and calculation of total nutrient uptake, demonstrated that nutrient uptake did not increase with increased growth, resulting in significant dilution of elements in leaf tissue. This suggests that, in its typical, nutrient poor habitats, the growth response of Calluna to CO 2 will be limited by nutrient deficiency, and will reach a maximum with a relatively small increase in CO, concentration. Flowering was advanced and extremely prolific in +100 ppm CO 2 grown plants, but the ecological significance of this is uncertain. The results highlight the need for long term studies of native species on their natural soils, using lower CO 2 concentrations than the usual ‘double CO 2 ’.