Rising Carbon Dioxide and Plant Communities

Scientists from the USDA's Agricultural Research Service are finding that rising carbon dioxide levels can have a wide range of impacts on plant communities. Their findings suggest that some weedy invasives may benefit from higher CO₂ levels. Forest species such as the longleaf pine may have increased drought tolerance and higher survival rates from rising CO₂ levels. The scientists also found that greater CO₂ levels cause chemical changes in pine needles that may translate to a lower nutritional content for smaller organisms. These findings suggest altered carbon and nutrient cycling in forests.

Links:

• Long-term effects of carbon dioxide on plants studied by ARS via the USDA
• Changing CO₂ promises surprising changes in plant communities via the USDA

Thanks again to Claire Thompson for researching and writing this entry.

Posted by Daniel Mosquin at 12:00 PM on March 16, 2010