Response of seedlings growth of Pinus sylvestriformis to atmospheric CO_2 enrichment in Changbai Mountain

IntroductionGIobaIchangehasbeenoneoftheimpoFtantis-suesandscientistspaycIoseattentiontoit.ThegreatimportanceofforestecosystemisreflectednotonlybytheirhUgebiomass,butaIsobytheirsignifi-cantroIeintheglobaIcarbonbaIance.Howtreesrespondtoclimaticchangesmightbeofgreatsig-nificance.ManystudiesindicatethattherisingatmosphericCo,leveIscanmakeasubstantialeffectonplantgroWthanddevelopment.SomeonethinkcommonlythattherisingCo,levelscanstimuIatepIantgroWthandbiomassproduction,sincephotosynthesisofC…     

Effect of elevated ambient CO2 concentration on water use efficiency ofPinus sylvestriformis

Pinus sylvestriformis is an important species as an indicator of global climate changes in Changbai Mountain, China. The water use efficiency (WUE) of this species (11-year old) was studied on response to elevated CO₂ concentration at 500±100 μL·L⁻¹ by directly injecting CO₂ into the canopy under natural condition in 1998–1999. The results showed that the elevated CO₂ concentration reduced averagely stomatal opening, stomatal conductance and stomatal density to 78%, 80% and 87% respectively, as compared to normal ambient. The elevated CO₂ reduced the transpiration and enhances the water use efficiency (WUE) of plant. The project was supported by Chinese Academy of Sciences Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai     

Stomatal response ofPinus sylvestriformis to elevated CO2 concentrations during the four years of exposure

Four-year-oldPinus sylvestriformis were exposed for four growing seasons in open top chambers to ambient CO₂ concentration (approx. 350 μmol·mol⁻¹) and high CO₂ concentrations (500 and 700 μmol·mol⁻¹) at Research Station of Changbai Mountain Forest Ecosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences at Antu Town, Jilin Province, China (42°N, 128°E). Stomatal response to elevated CO₂ concentrations was examined by stomatal conductance (g _s), ratio of intercellular to ambient CO₂ concentration (c _i/c _a) and stomatal number. Reciprocal transfer experiments of stomatal conductance showed that stomatal conductance in high-[CO₂]-grown plants increased in comparison with ambient-[CO₂]-grown plants when measured at their respective growth CO₂ concentration and at the same measurement CO₂ concentration (except a reduction in 700 μmol·mol⁻¹ CO₂. grown plants compared with plants on unchambered field when measured at growth CO₂ concentration and 350 μmol·mol⁻¹CO₂). High-[CO₂]-grown plants exhibited lowerc _i/c _a ratios than ambient-[CO₂]-grown plants when measured at their respective growth CO₂ concentration. However,c _i/c _a ratios increased for plants grown in high CO₂ concentrations compared with control plants when measured at the same CO₂ concentration. There was no significant difference in stomatal number per unit long needle between elevated and ambient CO₂. However, elevated CO₂ concentrations reduced the total stomatal number of whole needle by the decline of stomatal line and changed the allocation pattern of stomata between upper and lower surface of needle. Foundation Item: This research was supported by National Basic Research Program of China (2002CB412502), Project of Key program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (90411020) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (30400051). Biography: ZHOU Yu-mei (1973-), female, Ph. Doctor, assistant research fellow, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, P. R. China. Responsible editor: Song Funan     

Effects of elevated CO2 concentrations on photosynthesis, dark respiration and RuBPcase activity of three species seedlings in Changbai Mountain

Two-year-old seedlings ofPinus koraiensis, Pinus sylvestriformis andFraxinus mandshurica were treated in open-top chambers with elevated CO₂ concentrations (700 μL·L⁻¹, 500 μL·L⁻¹) and ambient CO₂ concentrations (350 μL·L⁻¹) in Changbai Mountain from June to Sept. in 1999 and 2001. The net photosynthetic rate, dark respiration rate, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxlase (RuBPcase) activity, and chlorophyll content were analyzed. The results indicated the RuBPcase activity of the three species seedlings increased at elevated CO₂ concentrations. The elevated CO₂ concentrations stimulated the net photosynthetic rates of three tree species exceptP. sylvestriformis grown under 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ concentration. The dark respiration rates ofP. koraiensis andP. sylvestriformis increased under concentration of 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂, out that ofF. mandshurica decreased under both concentrations 700 μL·L⁻¹ and 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂. The seedlings ofF. mandshurica decreased in chlorophyll contents at elevated CO₂ concentrations. Foundation item: This paper was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30070158). Knowledge Innovation Item of Chinese Academy of Sciences (KZCX2-406) and “Hundred Scientists” Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Biography: Zhou Yu-mei (1973-) Ph. Doctor, Assistant Research fellow Institute of Applied Ecology. Chinese Academy of Sciences. Shenyang 110016. P.R. China. Responsible editor: Song Funan     

Response of seedlings of different tree species to elevated C02 in Changbai Mountain

Eco-physiological responses of seedlings of eight species,Pinus koraiensis, Picea koraiensis, Larix olgensis, Populus ussuriensis, Betula platyphylla, Tilia amurensis, Traxinus mandshurica andAcer mono from broadleaved/Korean pine forest, to elevated CO₂ were studied by using open-top chambers under natural sunlight in Changbai Mountain, China in two growing seasons (1998–1999). Two concentrations of CO₂ were designed: elevated CO₂ (700 μmol·mol⁻¹) and ambient CO₂ (400 μmol·mol⁻¹). The study results showed that the height growth of the tree seedlings grown at elevated CO₂ increased by about 10%–40% compared to those grown at ambient CO₂. And the water using efficiency of seedlings also followed the same tendency. However, the responses of seedlings in transpiration and chlorophyll content to elevated CO₂ varied with tree species. The broad-leaf tree species were more sensitive to the elevated CO₂ than conifer tree species. All seedlings showed a photosynthetic acclimation to long-term elevated CO₂. Foundation item: The project was supported by National Key Basic Development of China (G1999043400) and the grant KZCX 406-4, KZCX1 SW-01 of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Biography: WANG Miao (1964-), maie, associate professor in Institute of applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, P. R. China. Responsible editor: Song Funan     

Effect of elevated CO2 concentration on growth course of tree seedlings in Changbai Mountain

One-year-old seedlings ofPinus koraiensis, Pinus sylvestriformis, Phellodendron amurense were grown in open-top chambers (OTCs) with 700 and 500 ώmol/mol CO₂ concentrations, control chamber and on open site (ambient CO₂, about 350 ώmol/mol CO₂) respectively at the Open Research Station of Changbai Mountain Forest Ecosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the growth course responses of three species to elevated CO₂ and temperature during one growing season was studied from May to Oct. 1999. The results showed that increase in CO₂ concentration enhanced the growth of seedlings and the effect of 700 (ώmol/mol CO₂ was more remarkable than 500 ώmol/mol CO₂ on seedling growth. Under the condition of doubly elevated CO₂ concentration, the biomass increased by 38% in average for coniferous seedlings and 60% for broad-leaved seedlings. With continuous treatment of high CO₂ concentration, the monthly-accumulated biomass of shade-tolerantPinus koraiensis seedlings was bigger in July than in August and September, while those ofPinus sylvestriformis andPhellodendron amurense seedlings showed an increase in July and August, or did not decrese until September. During the hot August, high CO₂ concentration enhanced the growth ofPinus koraiensis seedlings by increasing temperature, but it did not show dominance in other two species. Foundation Item: This paper was supported by Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Open Research Station of Changbai Mountain Forest Ecosystem.     

Photosynthetic response ofPinus sylvestriformis to elevated carbon dioxide and its influential factor analysis

The photosynthetic response of 12-year oldPinus sylvestriformis to elevated CO₂ and its influential factors were tested and analyzed in the forest region of Changbai Mountain in 1999. Trees grown at the natural condition were controlled at three levels of CO₂ concentration (350 μL·L⁻¹, 500 μL·L⁻¹ and 700 μL·L⁻¹) by CO₂ rich settlement designed by us. Net photosynthetic rates (NPR), temperature, relative humidity, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO₂ concentration and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) were measured at 6:00, 8:00, 10:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00 hours a day. Experimental results showed that the NPR ofPinus sylvestriformis increased by 32.6% and 123.0% at 500 μL·L⁻¹ and 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ concentration respectively, compared to ambient atmospheric CO₂ concentration (350 μL·L⁻¹). The relations between NPR and influential factors, including temperature, relative humidity, intercellular CO₂ concentration and photosynthetic active radiation, were analyzed respectively by regression analysis at different CO₂ concentrations. Foundation Item: This project was supported by Chinese Academy of Sciences. Biography: WANG Chen-rui (1970-), male, Assistant Research Fellow in Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai     

Ecophysiological responses and carbon distribution ofPinus koraiensis seedlings to elevated carbon dioxide

The net CO₂ assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, RuBPcase (ribulose 1,5-biphosphate carboxylose) activity, dry weight of aboveground and belowgroud part, plant height, the length and diameter of taproot ofPinus koraiensis seedlings were measured and analyzed after six-week exposure to elevated CO₂ in an open-top chamber in Changbai Mountain of China from May to Oct. 1999. Seedlings were planted in four different conditions: on an open site, control chamber, 500 μL·L⁻¹ and 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ chambers. The results showed that the total biomass of the seedlings increased whereas stomatal conductance decreased. The physiological responses and growth to 500 μL·L⁻¹ and 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ varied greatly. The acclimation of photosynthesis was downward to 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ but upward to 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂. The RuBPcase activity, chlorophyll and soluble sugar contents of the seedlings grown at 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ were higher than that at 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂. The concentration 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ enhanced the growth of aboveground part whereas 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ allocated more carbon to belowground part. Elevated CO₂ changed the carbon distribution pattern. The ecophysiological responses were significantly different between plants grown under 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ and 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂. Foundation Item: This paper was supported by Chinese Academy of Sciences. Biography: HAN Shi-jie (1956-), male, Ph. Doctor, Professor in Laboratory of Ecological Process of Trace Substance in Terrestrial Ecosystem, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai     

Effects of CO2 enrichment at varying photon flux density on the growth of picea abies (L) karst. seedlings

Seedlings of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.)) were grown at 335 and 1000 μl CO₂ 1^?1 for 118 days in growth rooms at different irradiance levels. Photon flux density ranging from 8.6 to 34.6 mol m^?2 day^?t (PAR) was given either as constant light or as alternating levels in intervals of two or six hours. CO₂ enrichment increased the plant dry weight from 36% to 105% by increasing photon flux density from 8.6 to 25.9 mol m^?2 day^?1. At constant light the dry weight apparently reached its maximum at a photon flux density of 25.9 mol m^?2 day^?t. At the lower radiation levels alternating in CO₂ enriched air gave slightly higher dry weights compared to constant light levels. At the highest radiations the effect on dry weight was the opposite. High CO₂ concentration and 300 μmol m^?2 s^?1 constant light (25.9 mol m^?2 day^?1) gave the best growth and quality of plants. Top, root, stem and foliage weight were proportionally affected. Shoot length was enhanced by CO₂ enrichment. Shoot weight per cm was substantially increased both by CO₂ enrichment and increasing photon flux density.     

Soil CO2 evolution from Korean pine virgin forest at Changbai Mountain

The soil CO₂ evolution rate was measured in a virgin Korean pine forest. The results in June showed that the lowest value of evolution rate was 220 mg/(m²·h) and appeared at 6:00 a.m. The highest value was 460 mg/(m²·h) at 18:00. The rates of CO₂ evolution were related with soil temperature. On the basis of the constructed regression equation and the monthly average values of temperature, the magnitude of CO₂ evolution from Korean pine forest soil was 10.4 t/hm² during a growing season. This project was funded by the Opened Research Station of Changbai Mountain Forest Ecosystem, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Responsible editor: Zhu Hong     

Effects of elevated CO2 on net photosynthetic rate of trees in Changbai Mountain

Net photosynthetic rates (NPRs) of four species seedlings,Pinus koraiensis, Pinus sylvestriformis, Fraxinus mandshurica andPhellodendron amurense, were measured at different CO₂ concentrations and time respectively in Changbai Mountain during the growing season in 1999. The seedlings were cultivated in open-top chambers (OTCs), located outdoors and exposed to natural sunlight. The experimental objects were divided into four groups by tree species. CO₂ concentrations in chambers were kept at 500 μL·L⁻¹ and 700 μL·L⁻¹ and contrast chamber and contrast field were set. The results showed that the effects of elevated CO₂ on NPR of the trees strongly depended on tree species and time. NPRs ofPinus koreainsis andPinus sylvestriformis seedlings increased with the rising of CO₂ concentration, while that ofPhellodendron amurense andFraxinus mandshurica increased at some time and decreased at another time. This project was supported by Chinese Academy of Sciences Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai     

In vitro shoot development ofEucalyptus citriodora on Rockwool in the film culture vessel under CO2 enrichment

An efficient system for growingin vitro plantlets ofEucalyptus citriodora Hook was developed. In the conventional closed system of culture with 2% sugar-containing gellan gum Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.02 mg/l indole-3-isobutyric acid, a serious defoliation of shoots was observed after three weeks. In contrast, plantlets grown on the sugar-free MS medium in the aerated bottle under 3,000 ppm CO₂ enriched condition did not show any defoliation. A marked enhanced growth of plantlets and no defoliation were observed on rockwool with the sugar-free liquid MS medium in the “Culture Pack”, made of fluorocarbon polymer film, under CO₂ enriched condition. CO₂ enrichment for this sugar-free “Culture Pack”-Rockwool system was also found to contribute to an improved growth of the plants in acclimatization. A part of this paper was presented at the 106th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Forestry Society (1995).     

Structure and functions ofPinus sylvestris var.sylvestriformis plantation ecosystem

Changbai pine (Pinus sylvestris var.Sylvestriformis) is an endemic and important tree species in Changbai Mountain. There were only 63 plant species in Changbai pine plantation, where hemicryptophyte was dominant(39.68%). Simpson diversity index was 0.87, Shannon-Wiener diversity index was 2.96, and evenness index was 0.82. Community structure were divided into three layers: tree layer, shrub layer and herb layer. The total biomass and net production were 111.982 t/hm² and 8942.80 kg/(hm² a) respectively. The total biomass for tree, shrub and herb layers were 106.150, 2.230, 2.264 t/hm², accounting for 94.79%, 1.99%, and 2.02%, respectively, and net production for those were 7465, 223, and 1182 kg/(hm² a), accounting for 83.47%, 2.49%, and 13.22% of the total respectively. The nutrient content in various organs is in the order of needle> branch> root> bark> trunk, For the assimilated organ, the nutrient content is in the order of N> K> Ca> P> Mg, and that in absorption organ is in the order of Ca> N> K> P> Mg. For the whole plantation ecosystem, nutrient content is in the order of soil> litter> herb layer> shrub layer> tree layer. Nutrient storage and its accumulation rate in tree layer take up 88.79% and 76.43% of the total, respectively. The project is funded by the Opened Research Station of Changbai Mountain Forest Ecosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences Responsible Editor: Chai Ruihai     

Turbulent exchange of CO2 over a broadleaf-Korean pine forest in Changbai Mountain, northeast China

Turbulent exchange of CO₂ was measured continuously via the open-path eddy covariance technique over a broadleaf-Korean pine forest in Changbai Mountain, northeast China. The results show that with near-neutral atmospheric stratification, CO₂ and vertical wind components measured over the forest canopy in the inertial sub-range followed the expected −2/3 power law. The dominant vertical eddy scale was about 100 m. The frequency ranges of eddy contributions to CO₂ fluxes were mostly within 0.01–2.0 Hz. Large eddies with low frequency over the canopy contributed more to CO₂ fluxes than small eddies. The open-path eddy covariance system could satisfy the estimation of turbulent fluxes over the canopy, but the CO₂ fluxes between forest and atmosphere were generally underestimated at night because of the increment non-turbulent processes, suggesting that the CO₂ fluxes estimated under weak turbulence need to be revised correspondingly. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2007, 18(5): 951–956 [译自: 应用生态学报]     

大气CO2倍增对长白山不同树种的苗木的影响

组成长白山阔叶红松林的主要树种红松、云杉、落叶松、大青杨、白桦、椴树、水曲柳和色木的幼树,盆栽于模拟自然光照和人工调节CO2浓度为700祄olmol-1、400祄olmol-1的气室内两个生长季(1998-1999),以生长在400祄olmol-1下的幼树为对照组。研究结果表明:高CO2浓度下生长的红松、云杉、落叶松、大青杨、白桦、椴树、水曲柳和色木的高生长比对照组的幼树提高10%~40%。水分利用效率均有不同程度的提高,但不同树种叶绿素含量和蒸腾速率对高CO2浓度反应不一。长期高CO2浓度环境下生长的阔叶树对大气CO2浓度升高反应较针叶树敏感,供试8个树种对CO2浓度的升高均发生光合驯化现象。图2表2参24。     

Increased atmospheric CO2 concentration enhances the development of photosynthetic capacity beyond the temperature effect for silver birch in simulated future climate

We conducted an experiment to find out how future climate conditions will impact the spring development of photosynthetic capacity of silver birch leaves. We had two greenhouse conditions. In the simulated future climate condition, we had both elevated temperatures and CO₂ concentration, while for reference we had trees growing under current climate conditions. We used two methods to measure the development of photosynthetic capacity: first, the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II with a fluorescence meter; and second, the CO₂ assimilation rate with gas exchange measurements. The development of full photosynthetic capacity took around two weeks following the bud burst. The maximum quantum efficiency developed slightly faster than the CO₂ assimilation rate. Both measurement methods showed that an elevated CO₂ concentration enhanced the development of photosynthetic capacity beyond the impact of temperature only. The enhancement under the conditions of our simulated climate change translates to achieving photosynthetic capacity up to five days earlier, which impact should be taken into account in simulations of photosynthetic productivity.     

Development of a CO2 gas analyzer for monitoring soil CO2 concentrations

Measurement of soil CO₂ concentrations is important for investigating the dynamics and diffusion of CO₂ in soil. In this study, we developed a small CO₂ analyzer for measuring in situ-soil CO₂ concentrations. The CO₂ analyzer consists of a module containing an infrared CO₂ gas sensor, a temperature sensor, and a relative humidity sensor. These sensors are installed in a protective box with an air vent, which is suitable for burying in the soil. The output response time of the CO₂ analyzer was 349 s, as evaluated from the phase lag after input of known CO₂ concentrations. This response time is short enough to measure soil CO₂ concentrations, because variations in concentration are slower than the response time of the analyzer. In a field test, we used the CO₂ analyzer to measure soil CO₂ concentrations at five depths (0–50 cm) over 2.5 months. While the CO₂ concentration generally increased with depth, the amplitude of the variation in CO₂ concentration decreased with depth. The phase lag of the variations in soil CO₂ concentration also increased with depth, as did soil temperature. The tests confirm that the CO₂ analyzer is applicable to continuous monitoring of soil CO₂ concentrations.     

长白赤松和红松土壤微生物活性对高浓度CO2的响应

Responses of soil microbial activities to elevated CO₂ in experiment sites ofPinus sylvestriformis andPinus koraiensis seedlings were studied in summer in 2003. The results indicated the number of bacteria decreased significantly (p<0.05) under elevated CO₂ forPinus sylvestriformis andPinus koraiensis. Amylase and invertase activities in soil increased forPinus sylvestriformis and decreased forPinus koraiensis with CO₂ enrichment compared with those at ambient (350 μmol·mol⁻¹). The size of microbial biomass C also decreased significantly at 700 μmol·mol⁻¹ CO₂. Bacterial community structure had some evident changes under elevated CO₂ by DGGE (Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis) analysis of bacterial 16S rDNA gene fragments amplified by PCR from DNA extracted directly from soil. The results suggested that responses of soil microorganisms to elevated CO₂ would be related to plant species exposed to elevated CO₂. Foundation item: The study was supported by Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (2002CB412502) and the Knowledge Innovation Project from Chinese Academy of Sciences (KZCX1-SW-01-03). Biography: JIA Xia (1975), female, Ph. D. candidate of Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, P. R. China. Responsible editor: Song Funan     

Response of five dry tropical tree seedlings to elevated CO2: Impact of seed size and successional status

The impact of seed size and successional status on seedling growth under elevated CO₂ was studied for five dry tropical tree species viz. Albizia procera, Acacia nilotica, Phyllanthus emblica, Terminalia arjuna and Terminalia chebula. Seedlings from large (LS) and small seeds (SS) were grown at two CO₂ levels (ambient and elevated, 700–750 ppm). CO₂ assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency and foliar N were determined after 30 d exposure to elevated CO₂. Seedlings were harvested after 30 d and 60 d exposure periods. Height, diameter, leaf area, biomass and other growth traits (RGR, NAR, SLA, R:S) were determined. Seedling biomass across species was positively related with seed mass. Within species, LS seedlings exhibited greater biomass than SS seedlings. Elevated CO₂ enhanced plant biomass for all the species. The relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), CO₂ assimilation rate, R:S ratio and water use efficiency increased under elevated CO₂. However, the positive impact of elevated CO₂ was down regulated beyond 30 d exposure. Specific leaf area (SLA), transpiration rate, stomatal conductance declined due to exposure to elevated CO₂. Fast growing, early successional species exhibited greater RGR, NAR and CO₂ assimilation rate. Per cent enhancement in such traits was greater for slow growing species. The responses of individual species did not follow functional types (viz. legumes, non-legumes). The enhancement in biomass and RGR was greater for large-seeded species and LS seedlings within species. This study revealed that elevated CO₂ could cause large seeded, slow growing and late successional species to grow more vigorously.     

Root growth and hydraulic conductivity of southern pine seedlings in response to soil temperature and water availability after planting

Comparison of the root system growth and water transport of southern pine species after planting in different root-zone environments is needed to guide decisions regarding when, and what species to plant. Evaluation of how seed source affects root system responses to soil conditions will allow seed sources to be matched to planting conditions. The root growth and hydraulic conductivity of three sources each of shortleaf, loblolly and longleaf pine seedlings were evaluated for 28 days in a seedling growth system that simulated the planting environment. Across species, an increase in root-zone temperature alleviated limitations to root growth caused by water stress. In the coldest temperature, longleaf pine maintained a higher hydraulic conductivity compared to shortleaf and loblolly pine. Without water limitation, the root growth and hydraulic conductivity of shortleaf and loblolly pine were superior to that of longleaf pine, but as water availability decreased, the root growth of longleaf pine surpassed that of loblolly pine. Hydraulic conductivities of the seed sources differed, and differences were attributed to either new root growth, or an increase in the efficiency of the root system to transport water.