Elevated Atmospheric CO2 Affects Structure of a Model Regenerating Longleaf Pine Community

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2002

Department

Biological Sciences

School

Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences

Abstract

Differences in plant morphology, physiology, life form, and symbiotic relationships can generate differences in species responses to CO2-enrichment, which can alter competitive interactions, thus affecting community structure and function. Here, we present data from a two-year study, examining the species and community responses to elevated [CO2] of a model regenerating longleaf pine community. The model community was constructed from an assemblage of early successional forest species representing maojr vunctional guilds within a typical longleaf pine-wiregrass community: (1) a C3 evergreen conifer (Pinus palustris); (2) a C4 bunch grass (Aristida stricta); (3) a C3 broadleaf tree (Quercus margaretta); (4) a C3 perennial herbaceous legume (Crotalaria rotundifolia); and (5) a C3 herbaceous perennial (Asclepias tuberosa). After 2 years, CO2-enriched plots had 109% greater above-ground biomass than ambient plots, mainy due to a 117% increase in pine biomass. Community structure was altered by CO2 enrichment; Crotalaria and Asclepias had higher mortality and less biomass in high-CO2 plots suggesting that not all species will perform well as global [CO2] rises. Our data suggest that longleaf pine communities as a whole will perform well in a future higher CO2 world, but some species may fall prey to altered competitive interactions for light and soil moisture.

Publication Title

Journal of Ecology

Volume

90

Issue

1

First Page

130

Last Page

140

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