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  • 2000-2004  (2)
  • 2003  (2)
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  • 2000-2004  (2)
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  • 1
    ISSN: 1365-2486
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Biology , Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering , Geography
    Notes: It has been suggested that desert vegetation will show the strongest response to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide due to strong water limitations in these systems that may be ameliorated by both photosynthetic enhancements and reductions in stomatal conductance. Here, we report the long-term effect of 55 Pa atmospheric CO2 on photosynthesis and stomatal conductance for three Mojave Desert shrubs of differing leaf phenology (Ambrosia dumosa—drought-deciduous, Krameria erecta—winter-deciduous, Larrea tridentata—evergreen). The shrubs were growing in an undisturbed ecosystem fumigated using FACE technology and were measured over a four-year period that included both above and below-average precipitation. Daily integrated photosynthesis (Aday) was significantly enhanced by elevated CO2 for all three species, although Krameria erecta showed the greatest enhancements (63% vs. 32% for the other species) enhancements were constant throughout the entire measurement period. Only one species, Larrea tridentata, decreased stomatal conductance by 25–50% in response to elevated CO2, and then only at the onset of the summer dry season and following late summer convective precipitation. Similarly, reductions in the maximum carboxylation rate of Rubisco were limited to Larrea during spring. These results suggest that the elevated CO2 response of desert vegetation is a function of complex interactions between species functional types and prevailing environmental conditions. Elevated CO2 did not extend the active growing season into the summer dry season because of overall negligible stomatal conductance responses that did not result in significant water conservation. Overall, we expect the greatest response of desert vegetation during years with above-average precipitation when the active growing season is not limited to ∼2 months and, consequently, the effects of increased photosynthesis can accumulate over a biologically significant time period.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 2
    ISSN: 1365-2486
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Biology , Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering , Geography
    Notes: Seedling recruitment is an important determinant of community structure in desert ecosystems. Positive photosynthetic growth and water balance responses to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations ([CO2]) are predicted to be substantial in desert plants, suggesting that recruitment could be stimulated. However, to date no studies have addressed the response of perennial plant recruitment in natural populations of desert shrubs exposed to elevated [CO2]. In April 1997, we employed Free-Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment (FACE) in order to increase atmospheric [CO2] in an undisturbed Mojave Desert ecosystem from ambient (∼∼ 370 µmol mol−1) to elevated CO2 (∼∼ 550 µmol mol−1). From 1997 to 2001 we seasonally examined survival, growth, gas exchange and water potential responses of Larrea tridentata and Ambrosia dumosa seedlings that germinated in Fall, 1997. Recruitment densities were not influenced by [CO2] in either species, although a two-fold higher adult Ambrosia density under elevated [CO2] resulted in two-fold higher seedling density (0.87 vs 0.40 seedlings m−2). Mortality was greatest for both species during the first summer (1998), despite above-average rainfall during the previous Winter–Spring. A significant [CO2] × time interaction revealed that early survival was greater under elevated CO2, whereas a significant species time interaction revealed that overall survival was greater for Ambrosia (28%) than for Larrea (15%), regardless of [CO2]. Microsite (understorey or interspace) alone had no significant influence on survival. Significant species, microsite and species × microsite effects on growth (seedling height, stem diameter and canopy size) were found, but elevated CO2 had minimal impact on these parameters. Photosynthetic rates (Asat) for both species were higher at elevated [CO2] during certain seasons, but not consistently so. These results suggest that increased atmospheric [CO2] may enhance carbon (C) assimilation and survival of aridland perennial shrubs during favourable growing conditions, but that it may not counteract the effects of prolonged drought on mortality.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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