Premium
Coppicing shifts CO 2 stimulation of poplar productivity to above‐ground pools: a synthesis of leaf to stand level results from the POP/EUROFACE experiment
Author(s) -
Liberloo Marion,
Lukac Martin,
Calfapietra Carlo,
Hoosbeek Marcel R.,
Gielen Birgit,
Miglietta Franco,
ScarasciaMugnozza Giuseppe E.,
Ceulemans Reinhart
Publication year - 2009
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.1469-8137.2008.02754.x
Subject(s) - short rotation coppice , coppicing , short rotation forestry , nutrient , biomass (ecology) , productivity , sink (geography) , environmental science , agronomy , nitrogen , photosynthesis , bioenergy , carbon sink , woody plant , chemistry , botany , biofuel , biology , ecosystem , ecology , cartography , macroeconomics , organic chemistry , economics , geography
Summary A poplar short rotation coppice (SRC) grown for the production of bioenergy can combine carbon (C) storage with fossil fuel substitution. Here, we summarize the responses of a poplar ( Populus ) plantation to 6 yr of free air CO 2 enrichment (POP/EUROFACE consisting of two rotation cycles). We show that a poplar plantation growing in nonlimiting light, nutrient and water conditions will significantly increase its productivity in elevated CO 2 concentrations ([CO 2 ]). Increased biomass yield resulted from an early growth enhancement and photosynthesis did not acclimate to elevated [CO 2 ]. Sufficient nutrient availability, increased nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and the large sink capacity of poplars contributed to the sustained increase in C uptake over 6 yr. Additional C taken up in high [CO 2 ] was mainly invested into woody biomass pools. Coppicing increased yield by 66% and partly shifted the extra C uptake in elevated [CO 2 ] to above‐ground pools, as fine root biomass declined and its [CO 2 ] stimulation disappeared. Mineral soil C increased equally in ambient and elevated [CO 2 ] during the 6 yr experiment. However, elevated [CO 2 ] increased the stabilization of C in the mineral soil. Increased productivity of a poplar SRC in elevated [CO 2 ] may allow shorter rotation cycles, enhancing the viability of SRC for biofuel production.