Research on the response of vegetation to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide
The global rise in atmospheric CO/sub 2/ is an established phenomenon. Irrespective of whether a CO/sub 2/-induced climate change occurs, it is abundantly clear that the earth's mantle of vegetation will be directly affected by increased CO/sub 2/ levels. Carbon dioxide is essential for plant growth (plants obtain C from CO/sub 2/ in the atmosphere); a higher level of CO/sub 2/ will increase the rate of photosynthesis. Quantitative information on the CO/sub 2/-induced growth response for field situations is needed for assessments of (i) possible benefits to agriculture, (ii) the amount of fossil C that can be sequestered by CO/sub 2/-accelerated growth of the biosphere, and (iii) unknown or unidentified effects of CO/sub 2/ on the physiology, structure, and function of plants and ecosystems. Along with knowledge of CO/sub 2/ effects on climate and other factors, information on direct plant effects will be used in comprehensive evaluations of policy options related to increasing atmospheric CO/sub 2/. Herein, a discussion of the plant by the US Department of Energy (DOE) to address the CO/sub 2/ problem is presented along with research results from two programs, one agricultural and the other ecological.
- Research Organization:
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
- OSTI ID:
- 5844118
- Journal Information:
- J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Vol. 14:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CARBON DIOXIDE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
AIR POLLUTION
CLIMATES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
US DOE
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
GROWTH
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
POLLUTION
SYNTHESIS
US ORGANIZATIONS
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
560303 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Plants- (-1987)