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Title: Biomass increases attributed to both faster tree growth and altered allometric relationships under long‐term carbon dioxide enrichment at a temperate forest

Journal Article · · Global Change Biology
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14971· OSTI ID:1599245
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [1];  [2];  [3];  [4]
  1. Department of Biological Sciences University of Notre Dame Notre Dame IN USA
  2. USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station Research Triangle Park NC USA
  3. USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station Asheville NC USA
  4. Nicholas School of the Environment Duke University Durham NC USA

Abstract Increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentrations are expected to lead to increases in the rate of tree biomass accumulation, at least temporarily. On the one hand, trees may simply grow faster under higher CO 2 concentrations, preserving the allometric relations that prevailed under lower CO 2 concentrations. Alternatively, the allometric relations themselves may change. In this study, the effects of elevated CO 2 (eCO 2 ) on tree biomass and allometric relations were jointly assessed. Over 100 trees, grown at Duke Forest, NC, USA, were harvested from eight plots. Half of the plots had been subjected to CO 2 enrichment from 1996 to 2010. Several subplots had also been subjected to nitrogen fertilization from 2005 to 2010. Allometric equations were developed to predict tree height, stem volume, and aboveground biomass components for loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda L.), the dominant tree species, and broad‐leaved species. Using the same diameter‐based allometric equations for biomass, it was estimated that plots with eCO 2 contained 21% more aboveground biomass, consistent with previous studies. However, eCO 2 significantly affected allometry, and these changes had an additional effect on biomass. In particular, P. taeda trees at a given diameter were observed to be taller under eCO 2 than under ambient CO 2 due to changes in both the allometric scaling exponent and intercept. Accounting for allometric change increased the treatment effect of eCO 2 on aboveground biomass from a 21% to a 27% increase. No allometric changes for the nondominant broad‐leaved species were identified, nor were allometric changes associated with nitrogen fertilization. For P. taeda , it is concluded that eCO 2 affects allometries, and that knowledge of allometry changes is necessary to accurately compute biomass under eCO 2 . Further observations are needed to determine whether this assessment holds for other taxa.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
1599245
Journal Information:
Global Change Biology, Journal Name: Global Change Biology Vol. 26 Journal Issue: 4; ISSN 1354-1013
Publisher:
Wiley-BlackwellCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 5 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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