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Direct Impacts of CO2 and Temperature on Physiological Processes in Trees

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Impacts of Global Change on Tree Physiology and Forest Ecosystems

Part of the book series: Forestry Sciences ((FOSC,volume 52))

Abstract

This paper reviews the major physiological response processes of trees to global change, in particular to elevated atmospheric CO2. In general the increase in tree growth in elevated CO2 results from an increase in both leaf area and leaf photosynthetic rate, and frequently also from a decrease in shoot respiration rate. Growth enhancement is generally larger at high rates of nutrient supply. Since carbon allocation patterns depend on the growth potential of species and on the growing conditions, there is a large variability in the growth responses of trees to high CO2. In many studies a shift in whole plant carbon allocation pattern towards roots has been associated with increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations. When nutrient supply rates do not meet growth rates, plant nutrient status declines and nutrients become limiting. Decreased plant nutrient status and limitations from pot size have also been shown to enhance root production. Further, the stimulation or reduction found in the respiratory processes of woody plants is reviewed, as well as the effect of elevated CO2 on water relations and phenology (bud burst and bud set). Knowledge of the response of these and other physiological processes to elevated CO2 is the key to understanding the functioning of the whole forest ecosystem.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Antwerpen, UIA, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610, Wilrijk, Belgium

    R. Ceulemans

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  1. R. Ceulemans
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. DLO-Institute for Forestry and Nature Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    G. M. J. Mohren , K. Kramer  & S. Sabaté ,  & 

  2. Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals (CREAF), Department of Ecology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    S. Sabaté

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Ceulemans, R. (1997). Direct Impacts of CO2 and Temperature on Physiological Processes in Trees. In: Mohren, G.M.J., Kramer, K., Sabaté, S. (eds) Impacts of Global Change on Tree Physiology and Forest Ecosystems. Forestry Sciences, vol 52. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8949-9_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8949-9_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-4986-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-015-8949-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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