Impacts of Elevated Atmospheric CO 2 and O 3 on Paper Birch ( Betula papyrifera ): Reproductive Fitness
- Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
- USDA Forest Service, North Central Research Station, Rhinelander, WI, USA
- University of Joensuu, Kuopio, Finland
- Finnish Forest Research Institute, Suonenjoki, Finland
Atmospheric CO 2 and tropospheric O 3 are rising in many regions of the world. Little is known about how these two commonly co-occurring gases will affect reproductive fitness of important forest tree species. Here, we report on the long-term effects of CO 3 and O 3 for paper birch seedlings exposed for nearly their entire life history at the Aspen FACE (Free Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment) site in Rhinelander, WI. Elevated CO 2 increased both male and female flower production, while elevated O 3 increased female flower production compared to trees in control rings. Interestingly, very little flowering has yet occurred in combined treatment. Elevated CO 2 had significant positive effect on birch catkin size, weight, and germination success rate (elevated CO 2 increased germination rate of birch by 110% compared to ambient CO 2 concentrations, decreased seedling mortality by 73%, increased seed weight by 17%, increased root length by 59%, and root-to-shoot ratio was significantly decreased, all at 3 weeks after germination), while the opposite was true of elevated O 3 (elevated O 3 decreased the germination rate of birch by 62%, decreased seed weight by 25%, and increased root length by 15%). Under elevated CO 2 , plant dry mass increased by 9 and 78% at the end of 3 and 14 weeks, respectively. Also, the root and shoot lengths, as well as the biomass of the seedlings, were increased for seeds produced under elevated CO 2 , while the reverse was true for seedlings from seeds produced under the elevated O 3 . Similar trends in treatment differences were observed in seed characteristics, germination, and seedling development for seeds collected in both 2004 and 2005. Our results suggest that elevated CO 2 and O 3 can dramatically affect flowering, seed production, and seed quality of paper birch, affecting reproductive fitness of this species.
- Research Organization:
- Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, MI (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); US Department of Agriculture (USDA); Michigan Technological University; Praxair Foundation; McIntire-Stennis Program; Natural Resources Canada-Canadian Forest Service
- Grant/Contract Number:
- FG02-95ER62125
- OSTI ID:
- 1197691
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 1904763
- Journal Information:
- The Scientific World Journal (Online), Journal Name: The Scientific World Journal (Online) Vol. 7; ISSN 1537-744X
- Publisher:
- Hindawi Publishing CorporationCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United Kingdom
- Language:
- English
Web of Science
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