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Effects of elevated CO 2 on the extractable amino acids of leaf litter and fine roots
Author(s) -
Top Sara M.,
Filley Timothy R.
Publication year - 2014
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/nph.12762
Subject(s) - amino acid , chemistry , plant litter , litter , biogeochemical cycle , nitrogen , carbon fibers , horticulture , botany , agronomy , environmental chemistry , biology , nutrient , biochemistry , organic chemistry , materials science , composite number , composite material
Summary Elevated atmospheric CO 2 concentrations can change chemistry and input rate of plant tissue to soil, potentially influencing above‐ and below‐ground biogeochemical cycles. Given the important role played by leaf and root litter chemistry in controlling ecosystem function and vulnerability to environmental stresses, we investigated the hydrolyzable amino acid distribution and concentration in leaf and fine root litter among control and elevated CO 2 treatments at the Rhinelander free air CO 2 enrichment ( FACE ) experiment ( WI , USA ). We extracted hydrolyzable amino acids from leaf litter and fine (< 2 mm) roots at three depths for both control and elevated CO 2 plots. We found that elevated CO 2 decreased the proportion of total leaf amino acid carbon (C), but had no effect on total leaf amino acid nitrogen (N). There was no treatment effect for total root amino acid N or amino acid C for any depth. The decrease in leaf amino acids is probably a result of the shift of protein compounds to more structural compounds. Despite the decrease in leaf amino acid C concentrations, the overall increase in annual plant production under elevated CO 2 would result in an increase in plant amino acids to the soil.