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Forests and ozone: productivity, carbon storage, and feedbacks
Bin Wang1, Herman H Shugart1, Jacquelyn K Shuman1
1Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, PO Box 400123, Clark Hall, 291 McCormick Road, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4123, USA.
Tropospheric ozone damages plant metabolism but does not reduce forest productivity or carbon sequestration due to community-level changes. This air pollutant may increase isoprene emissions, creating a feedback loop that worsens ozone pollution.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Plant Physiology
- Ecosystem Ecology
Background:
- Tropospheric ozone is a significant air pollutant impacting plant health and function.
- Ozone's effects on individual plants can negatively affect ecosystem processes like productivity and carbon sequestration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of tropospheric ozone on forest composition and ecosystem dynamics.
- To investigate whether ozone pollution reduces forest productivity and carbon sequestration capacity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an individual-based gap model incorporating plant physiology and species-specific metabolic traits.
- Simulated the effects of elevated tropospheric ozone on forest ecosystems.
Main Results:
- Elevated tropospheric ozone did not reduce forest productivity or carbon stock.
- Ozone exposure led to increased isoprene emissions due to the dominance of ozone-tolerant, isoprene-emitting species.
- Community-level diversity changes and compensatory processes ameliorated negative impacts on individuals.
Conclusions:
- Tropospheric ozone may not diminish overall forest carbon sequestration capacity.
- A positive feedback loop exists between forest communities and ozone pollution, driven by isoprene emissions, potentially exacerbating air quality issues.
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