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Published on: November 21, 2015
Regenerating temperate forest mesocosms in elevated CO2: belowground growth and nitrogen cycling
1Harvard University, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, The Biological Laboratories, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA Fax: 617-496-5223; e-mail: berntson@oeb.harvard.edu, , , , , , US.
Elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) impacts forest regeneration and nitrogen cycling. While some plant growth factors increased, reduced nitrogen availability may limit long-term forest productivity under future CO2 levels.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Forest Science
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Temperate forests are crucial to the global carbon cycle.
- Elevated atmospheric CO2 may alter forest regeneration and nitrogen cycling.
- Nitrogen is often a limiting nutrient in temperate forests.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of elevated CO2 on regenerating temperate forest mesocosms.
- To understand changes in species composition, biomass, and nitrogen cycling.
- To assess potential impacts on long-term forest productivity.
Main Methods:
- Controlled environment mesocosms with ambient and elevated CO2 (700 ppm).
- Intact forest soil monoliths used for mesocosm construction.
- Nitrogen-15 (15N) pool dilution techniques to quantify nitrogen fluxes.
Main Results:
- Increased plant biomass, C/N ratios, and ectomycorrhizal colonization under elevated CO2.
- Decreased plant ammonium (NH4+) uptake, gross mineralization, and consumption rates.
- Shift in dominant tree species biomass contribution; no significant change in total nitrogen content.
Conclusions:
- Elevated CO2 alters plant and soil processes in regenerating forests.
- Reduced nitrogen availability due to decreased decomposition may constrain future forest growth.
- Observed effects suggest complex, potentially limiting, long-term responses to increased CO2.
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