Coppicing of yellow-poplars does not enhance the growth response to elevated CO[sub 2]

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

OSTI ID:7162077

Gunderson, C A; Norby, R J; Tschaplinkski, T J; Wullschleger, S D ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN (United States)

Rising atmospheric [CO[sub 2]] has the potential to enhance growth, photosynthesis, and carbon sequestration in trees. Increased growth is not always observed, however, perhaps because of limitations imposed by nutrient or water availability, or by inadequate sink strength. To investigate these mechanisms, we studied coppice regrowth in decapitated yellow-poplar saplings (Liriodendron tulipifera) growing (both before and after decapitation) under 3 levels of CO[sub 2] enrichment in open-top field chambers. Coppice growth is typically rapid, providing a large sink for carbon, in part because large residual root systems increase the availability of nutrients and water. Coppice plants exhibited a physiological reinvigoration--photosynthetic rates and photosynthetic pigment concentrations were higher than in leaves of intact plants. The relative effect of CO[sub 2] enrichment, however, was similar in coppice and intact trees--photosynthetic rates were 20-60% higher and pigment concentrations were lower in leaves exposed to higher [CO[sub 2]]. There was no increase in aboveground growth in elevated [CO[sub 2]] in either coppice or intact trees. These results suggest that the limitations restricting CO[sub 2]-induced growth enhancement in the species are not released by shoot decapitation.

• OSTI ID: 7162077
• 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
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EXPOSURE CHAMBERS
GROWTH
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
MAGNOLIOPSIDA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
POPLARS
TREES