Rising CO2 levels and the fecundity of forest trees.
We determined the reproductive response of 19-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) to 4 years of carbon dioxide (CO2) enrichment (ambient concentration plus 200 microliters per liter) in an intact forest. After 3 years of CO2 fumigation, trees were twice as likely to be reproductively mature and produced three times as many cones and seeds as trees at ambient CO2 concentration. A disproportionate carbon allocation to reproduction under CO2 enrichment results in trees reaching maturity sooner and at a smaller size. This reproductive response to future increases in atmospheric CO2 concentration is expected to change loblolly dispersal and recruitment patterns.
LaDeau
S L
SL
Department of Biology and University Program in Ecology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA. sll8@duke.edu
Clark
J S
JS
D001272:Atmosphere; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D032462:Cycadopsida / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D017753:Ecosystem; D017752:Greenhouse Effect; D009657:North Carolina; D010788:Photosynthesis; D011336:Probability; D012098:Reproduction; D012639:Seeds / Q000378:metabolism; D013045:Species Specificity; D014197:Trees / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*
D002245:Carbon Dioxide