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Title: Rangeland Plant response to elevated CO{sub 2}

Abstract

Plots of a tallgrass prairie ecosystem were exposed to ambient and twice-ambient CO{sub 2} concentrations in open-top chambers and compared to unchambered ambient CO{sub 2} plots during the entire growing season from 1989 through 1993. Dominant species were Andropogon geradii, A. scoparius, and Sorghastrum nutans (C{sub 4}) and Poa pratensis (C{sub 3}). Aboveground biomass and leaf area were estimated by periodic sampling throughout the growing season in 1989 and 1990. In 1991, 1992, and 1993, peak biomass and leaf area were estimated by an early August harvest. Compared to ambient CO{sub 2} levels, elevated CO{sub 2} increased production of C{sub 4} grass species in 1989-1991, but in 1992 and 1993, wet years, there was no difference in C{sub 4} biomass production among treatments. Biomass production of C{sub 3} grass species did not differ among treatments any year. Root ingrowth biomass was greater in 1990 and 1991 on elevated CO{sub 2} plots compared to ambient or chambered-ambient plots. In 1992 and 1993, there was no difference in root ingrowth biomass among treatments.

Authors:
; ; ; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Kansas State Univ., Manhattan, KS (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
373752
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/60253-T10
ON: DE96013936
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-84ER60253
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 1994
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE, APPLIED STUDIES; CARBON DIOXIDE; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS; GRAMINEAE; CARBON DIOXIDE FIXATION; RANGELANDS; C4 SPECIES; ECOSYSTEMS; BIOMASS; PROGRESS REPORT; NITROGEN; PHOSPHORUS; TRANSPIRATION

Citation Formats

Owensby, C.E., Coyne, P.I., Ham, J.M., Parton, W., Rice, C., Auen, L.M., and Adam, N. Rangeland Plant response to elevated CO{sub 2}. United States: N. p., 1994. Web. doi:10.2172/373752.
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Owensby, C.E., Coyne, P.I., Ham, J.M., Parton, W., Rice, C., Auen, L.M., & Adam, N. Rangeland Plant response to elevated CO{sub 2}. United States. doi:10.2172/373752.
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Owensby, C.E., Coyne, P.I., Ham, J.M., Parton, W., Rice, C., Auen, L.M., and Adam, N. Sat . "Rangeland Plant response to elevated CO{sub 2}". United States. doi:10.2172/373752. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/373752.
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@article{osti_373752,
title = {Rangeland Plant response to elevated CO{sub 2}},
author = {Owensby, C.E. and Coyne, P.I. and Ham, J.M. and Parton, W. and Rice, C. and Auen, L.M. and Adam, N.},
abstractNote = {Plots of a tallgrass prairie ecosystem were exposed to ambient and twice-ambient CO{sub 2} concentrations in open-top chambers and compared to unchambered ambient CO{sub 2} plots during the entire growing season from 1989 through 1993. Dominant species were Andropogon geradii, A. scoparius, and Sorghastrum nutans (C{sub 4}) and Poa pratensis (C{sub 3}). Aboveground biomass and leaf area were estimated by periodic sampling throughout the growing season in 1989 and 1990. In 1991, 1992, and 1993, peak biomass and leaf area were estimated by an early August harvest. Compared to ambient CO{sub 2} levels, elevated CO{sub 2} increased production of C{sub 4} grass species in 1989-1991, but in 1992 and 1993, wet years, there was no difference in C{sub 4} biomass production among treatments. Biomass production of C{sub 3} grass species did not differ among treatments any year. Root ingrowth biomass was greater in 1990 and 1991 on elevated CO{sub 2} plots compared to ambient or chambered-ambient plots. In 1992 and 1993, there was no difference in root ingrowth biomass among treatments.},
doi = {10.2172/373752},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1994},
month = {Sat Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1994}
}
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Technical Report:
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DOI:  10.2172/373752
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  • ; ;
    Effects of carbon dioxide enrichment on a tallgrass ecosystem were monitored during the 1989 growing season. The experimental site was located in pristine Tallgrass Prairie north of/and adjacent to the Kansas State University campus. Vegetation on the site was a mixture of C{sub 3} and C{sub 4} species and was dominated by big bluestem and indiangrass. Subdominants included Kentucky bluegrass, sideoats grama, and tall dropseed. Principal forbs included western ragweed, Louisiana sagewort, and mayflower scurfpea. The area was ideal for meeting the experimental objectives, in that the mixture of C3 and C4 plants would allow for assessment of competitive relationshipsmore » among numerous species of both carbon fixation pathways. The objectives of this project were: to characterize the effects of CO{sub 2} enrichment on changes in diet selection and diet quality for ruminants, to monitor plant population dynamics under ambient and CO{sub 2}-enriched atmospheres, and to measure biomass accumulation and leaf area during the growing season under ambient and Co{sub 2}-enriched atmospheres. During 1989 we developed and tested the system and were able to collect substantial data concerning the effects of CO{sub 2} enrichment of tallgrass prairie. In this report we detail chamber design, data acquisition, control of the chamber environment, biomass and leaf area response to CO{sub 2} enrichment, and collection of forage quality samples using esophageally-fistulated sheep. 23 refs., 21 figs., 1 tab.« less

  • ; ; ; ...
    No studies have been published concerning the effect of elevated levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) on the growth of range plants in a natural habitat. Therefore, the objective of this research was to determine the response of plants on a native grassland to different CO{sub 2} concentrations and soil-moisture conditions. The study was carried out during the 1989 growing season on a rangeland in Manhattan, Kansas. Sixteen large, closed-top, plastic chambers were constructed and placed on the experimental site. Half of the chambers received the ambient level of CO{sub 2} and half of the chambers received two-times themore » ambient concentration. Half of the chambers were irrigated to maintain well-watered conditions and half of the chambers were drought-stressed. There were four replications. During the season, measurements of soil-water content were taken, as well as measurements of transpiration, stomatal resistance photosynthesis, and CO{sub 2} concentration in the intercellular spaces of the leaves of big bluestem. At harvest on 31 October 1989, plants were divided into four groups: warm-season grasses; cool-season grasses; sedges; and forbs. 20 refs., 16 figs., 9 tabs.« less

  • ; ; ; ...
    Plots of a tallgrass prairie ecosystem were exposed to ambient and twice-ambient CO{sub 2} concentrations in open-top chambers and compared to unchambered ambient CO{sub 2} plots during the entire growing season from 1989 through 1992. Relative root production among treatments was estimated using root ingrowth bags which remained in place throughout the growing season. Latent heat flux was simulated with and without water stress. Botanical composition was estimated annuallyin all treatments. Open-top chambers appeared to reduce latent heat flux and increase water use efficiency similar to elevated CO{sub 2} when water stress was not severe, but under severe water stress,more » chamber effect on water use efficiency was limited. In natural ecosystems with periodic moisture stress, increased water use efficiency under elevated CO{sub 2} apparently would have a greater impact on productivity than photosynthetic pathway. Root ingrowth biomass was greater in 1990 and 1991 on elevated CO{sub 2} plots compared to ambient or chambered-ambient plots. In 1992, there was no difference in root ingrowth biomass among treatments.« less

  • ; ; ; ...
    Effects of carbon dioxide enrichment on a tallgrass ecosystem were monitored during the 1990 growing season. The chambers, CO{sub 2} delivery system, and data acquisition and control system were in place and operational by 4 April 1990. CO{sub 2} fumigation and data acquisition began on that date. Nitrogen fertilizer as ammonium nitrate was applied at a rate of 45 kg ha {sup -1} on 1 April to the N-fertilized plots. The chambers were 4.5 m in diameter and 4 m in height to allow for destructive sampling for biomass accumulation, leaf area determination, and for grazing esophageally-fistulated sheep. The experimentalmore » site was located in pristine Tallgrass Prairie north of/and adjacent to the Kansas State University campus. Vegetation on the site was a mixture of C3 and C4 species and was dominated by big bluestem (Andropogon geradii vitman) and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash). Subdominants included Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr.), and tall dropseed (Sporobolus asper var. asper (Michx.) Kunth). Members of the sedge family made up 5-10% of the composition. Principal forbs included western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya DC.), Louisiana sagewort (Artemesia ludoviciana Nutt.), and mayflower scurfpea (Psoralea tenuiflora var. floribunda (Nutt.) Rydb.). Average peak biomass occurs in early August at 425 g m{sup -2} of which 35 g m{sup -2} is from forbs. The area was ideal for meeting the experimental objectives, in that the mixture of C3 and C4 plants would allow for assessment of competitive relationships among numerous species of both carbon fixation pathways.« less

  • An experiment is being designed to examine the influence of elevating CO2 levels on tallgrass prairie rangeland. Changes in biomass production, photosynthesis rates, and species composition (C3 versus C4) over time are to be examined. This report covers the period from August 15, 1988 to January 1, 1989. During this period the authors have had planning meetings in Manhattan, KS, and Washington, DC, with various investigators of the measurement and modeling groups within the elevated CO{sub 2} program. During this period detailed discussions with regard to the methodology were carried out. In addition, short-term experiments and prototype constructions were completedmore » to assess design and materials. Because of changes in the methodology and, to a certain degree, the scope, they are requesting changes in the funding cycle to implement the project at the beginning of the growing cycle of the tallgrass prairie.« less