Responses of soil microorganisms to changes in plant production with rising atmospheric CO[sub 2]

Conference · Wed Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America; (United States)

OSTI ID:7016148

Zak, D R; Pregitzer, K S ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)

In most ecosystems, the amount of C (i.e., energy) entering the soil from plant production is only sufficient to meet the maintenance energy requirements of soil microorganisms, allowing for no net annual growth of microbial populations. Because the rising atmospheric CO[sub 2] concentration has the potential to alter patterns of plant production and C allocation, it also has the potential to influence plant litter production and the amount of energy available for microbial growth in soil. We have developed a conceptual model describing the influence of rising atmospheric CO[sub 2] on plant production, soil microorganisms and the cycling of C and N within soil. It is based on the premise that increases in plant production provide the primary link between the rising atmospheric CO[sub 2] concentration and changes in the microbially-mediated transformations C and N within soil. We have argued that increased root growth at elevated atmospheric CO[sub 2] should increase soil C availability, microbial populations, and rates of net N mineralization. Others have proposed alternative ideas, suggesting that elevated atmospheric CO[sub 2] will lead to the production of recalcitrant plant litter and a reduction in rates of C and N cycling. We present evidence from a set of recent of experiments providing support for larger microbial populations and faster rates of C and N cycling in response to rising atmospheric CO[sub 2]. We also summarize the literature, bringing these differing views into perspective. It seems clear, however, that plants mediate the response(s) of soil microorganisms to rising atmospheric CO[sub 2].

• OSTI ID: 7016148
• Report Number(s): CONF-940894--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America; (United States) Journal Volume: 75:2
• 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
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMISTRY
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
GROWTH
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MICROORGANISMS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
SOIL CHEMISTRY
SOILS
VARIATIONS