Responses of deciduous trees to elevated atmospheric CO[sub 2]: Productivity, phytochemistry, and insect performance

Journal Article · Thu Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Ecology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1940804· OSTI ID:6431712

Lindroth, R L; Kinney, K K; Platz, C L ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison (United States)

Rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide are expected to directly affect forest ecosystems. This research evaluated the effects of enriched CO[sub 2], on the productivity and phytochemistry of forest trees and performance of associated insects. Our experimental system consisted of three tree species (quaking aspen [Populus tremuloides], red oak [Quercus rubra], sugar maple [Acer saccharum]) and two species of leaf-feeding insects (gypsy moth [Lymantria dispar] and forest tent caterpillar [Malacosma disstria]). Three questions were evaluated: in response to enriched CO[sub 2]: (1) relative increases in tree growth rates (2) relative decreases in protein and increases in carbon-based compounds, and (3) relative reductions in insect performance. Aspen responded the most to enriched CO[sub 2], atmospheres whereas maple responded the least. Proportional growth increases, were highest for oak and least for maple. Effects of elevated CO[sub 2], on biomass allocation patterns differed among the three species. Enriched CO[sub 2], altered concentrations of primary and secondary metabolites in leaves, but the magnitude and direction of effects were species-specific. Consumption rates of insects fed high-CO[sub 2], aspen increased dramatically, but growth rates declined. Gypsy moths grew better on high-CO[sub 2], oak, whereas forest tent caterpillars were unaffected; tent caterpillars grew less on high-CO[sub 2], maple, while gypsy moths were unaffected. Changes in insect performance parameters were related to changes in foliar chemistry. This study illustrates that tree productivity and chemistry, and the performance of associated insects, will change under CO[sub 2], atmospheres predicted for the next century. Changes in higher level ecological processes, such as community structure and nutrient cycling, are also implicated. 61 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 6431712
• Journal Information: Ecology; (United States), Journal Name: Ecology; (United States) Vol. 74:3; ISSN 0012-9658; ISSN ECOLAR
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
560400 -- Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
ARTHROPODS
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
BIOCHEMISTRY
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOMASS
CARBOHYDRATES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMISTRY
DECIDUOUS TREES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ECOSYSTEMS
ENERGY SOURCES
GROWTH
INSECTS
INVERTEBRATES
LEAVES
LEPIDOPTERA
LYMANTRIA DISPAR
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
MAGNOLIOPSIDA
MAPLES
METABOLITES
MOTHS
OAKS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
POLYSACCHARIDES
POPLARS
PRODUCTIVITY
REAGENTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SACCHARIDES
SEEDLINGS
STARCH
TREES