Effects of elevated CO[sub 2] on root length density, distribution, and turnover in a scrub oak - palmetto community in central Florida

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

OSTI ID:7264685

Day, F P; Weber, E P ^[1]

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1. Old Dominion Univ., Norfolk, VA (United States)

Open-top chambers (about 4.5 m[sup 2]) were used to quantify the effects of elevated CO[sub 2] on the belowground portion of the plants in a scrub oak-palmetto community at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The experiment included 3 CO[sub 2] enriched chambers (700 ppm CO[sub 2]), 3 ambient air chambers (350 ppm CO[sub 2]), and 3 reference plots without chambers. Minirhizotron observation tubes were installed at a 30[degrees] angle to a depth of about 1 m in each plot and outside the plots. A minirhizotron color video camera was used to obtain images of the roots 3 times a year to quantify changes in root length density. Elevated CO[sub 2] chambers had greater root length densities than the ambient air chambers in November, 1992 (535 mm/mm[sup 2] vs. 429 mm/mm[sup 2]). There was a bimodal distribution of roots by soil depth that appeared to be more accentuated in the elevated CO[sub 2] chambers. Preliminary analysis suggest that fine root turnover may be more rapid under CO[sub 2] enriched atmospheres. Elevated CO[sub 2] appears to increase root production and affect vertical distribution patterns of fine roots.

• OSTI ID: 7264685
• 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
OAKS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
ROOTS
TREES