A Test of Functional Balance Theory for Wetland Biomass Allocation in a Global Change Experiment

Bruns, Nicholas E.; Noyce, Genevieve L.; Megonigal, J. Patrick; Kirwan, Matthew L.

doi:10.1029/2024GL110902

Title: A Test of Functional Balance Theory for Wetland Biomass Allocation in a Global Change Experiment

Journal Article · 21 November 2024 · Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL110902 · OSTI ID:2479402

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Virginia Institute of Marine Science William and Mary Gloucester Point VA USA
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Edgewater MD USA

Abstract Forecasts of root growth and carbon sequestration under global change are compromised by uncertainty in how plants will allocate biomass between above and belowground pools. Here, we develop a simple model to assess whether functional balance theory can explain a complex biomass allocation response observed in a brackish marsh under experimental warming and elevated CO ₂ . Our model shows how treatment‐driven changes in nitrogen supply and demand can explain divergent observations of root growth (i.e., maximum responses under intermediate warming and elevated CO ₂ ). The model also reveals a surprising interaction between warming and eutrophication, where enhanced N loading to coastal marshes may reduce adverse impacts of warming on root growth. Our findings provide a mechanistic basis for incorporating biomass allocation into forecast models of marsh evolution. They also provide a general example of using ecological theory to decompose complex net responses observed in multi‐factor global change experiments into constituent processes.

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Research Organization:: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0014413; SC0019110; SC0021112

OSTI ID:: 2479402

Journal Information:: Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Journal Issue: 22 Vol. 51; ISSN 0094-8276

Publisher:: American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
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