Predicting the effects of tropospheric ozone on the growth of mature white fir trees

Conference · Tue Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America; (United States)

OSTI ID:6143933

Arthur, M A; Weinstein, D A; Gollands, B ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington (United States) Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY (United States)

We rely on experiments using seedlings or saplings to quantify the response of tree species to ozone exposure. Lacking long term experiments with mature trees exposed to ozone, the growth response of canopy trees to tropospheric ozone can best be predicted using simulation models. We simulated the response of a mature white fir (Abies concolor [Gord. Glend.] Lindl. ex Hildebr.) tree to ozone stress using TREGRO, a single tree physiological model. We developed parameters for the TREGRO model using the best available physiological and biomass data for white fir. Using data in the literature from experiments with seedlings we parameterized the model for white fir response to ozone. Using 1, 2 and 3 times ambient ozone (128 ppm-hours per year) we found between 4 and 70% reduction in annual growth. This study indicates that a statistically insignificant reduction in photosynthesis (12%) measured in experiments on seedlings may be biologically significant for mature trees if it results in decreases in the annual growth of mature trees significant enough to compromise competitive ability. A parallel study examined the response of ponderosa pine to ozone exposure, and the responses of both tree species were simulated in a stand-level model to examine the long-term competitive effects of ozone.

• OSTI ID: 6143933
• Report Number(s): CONF-930798--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America; (United States) Journal Volume: 74:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONIFERS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FIRS
FORECASTING
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OZONE
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
PINES
PINOPHYTA
PLANTS
POPULATION DYNAMICS
SEEDLINGS
SYNTHESIS
TREES