Response of Eriophorum vaginatum to elevated CO/sub 2/ and temperature in the Alaskan tussock tundra

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Ecology; (United States)

OSTI ID:6450340

Tissue, D T; Oechel, W C

Small greenhouses were used in the arctic to maintain Erioporum vaginatum-dominated tussock tundra for 10 wk at ambient CO/sub 2/ (340 ..mu..L/L), elevated CO/sub 2/ (510 or 680 ..mu..L/L), or elevated CO/sub 2/ and 4/sup 0/C above ambient temperature (680 ..mu..L/L, ambient +4/sup 0/). These treatments represent present levels of atmospheric CO/sub 2/ and temperature, and those predicted for the next century. Within 3 wk, plants maintained at elevated CO/sub 2/ exhibited a physiological adjustment of their photosynthetic rate so that plants grown at ambient and elevated CO/sub 2/ levels had similar photosynthetic rates at their respective growth CO/sub 2/ concentrations. The reduction in photosynthetic capacity for plants grown at elevated CO/sub 2/ levels did not appear to be due to stomatal closure or end-product inhibition. Other possible mechanisms were not explored. Transpiration rates and water use efficiency did not differ among treatments in the generally wet environment of tussock tundra. Relative leaf growth rate and the seasonal pattern of growth were also unaltered, suggesting that the growth of mature tillers is not, under normal ambient conditions, limited by temperature or carbohydrate. However, new tiller production was significantly increased at elevated CO/sub 2/, suggesting that the long-term effect of CO/sub 2/ enhancement in this sedge may be the production of a greater number of new tillers rather than an increase in the size or productivity of existing tillers.

• Research Organization: San Diego State Univ., CA
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-82ER60079
• OSTI ID: 6450340
• Journal Information: Ecology; (United States), Journal Name: Ecology; (United States) Vol. 68:2; ISSN ECOLA
• 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.
ALASKA
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
FEDERAL REGION X
GRASS
GROWTH
NORTH AMERICA
OPENINGS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
STOMATA
SYNTHESIS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TRANSPIRATION
TUNDRA
USA