Effects of decadal exposure to interacting elevated CO2 and/or O3 on paper birch (Betula papyrifera) reproduction

Joseph N.T. Darbah; Mark E. Kubiske; Neil Nelson; Elina Oksanan; Elina Vapaavuori; David F. Karnosky

Treesearch

Effects of decadal exposure to interacting elevated CO₂ and/or O₃ on paper birch (Betula papyrifera) reproduction

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Joseph N.T. Darbah, Mark E. Kubiske, Neil Nelson, Elina Oksanan, Elina Vapaavuori, David F. Karnosky

Year:

2008

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

Environmental Pollution. 155: 446-452.

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Abstract

We studied the effects of long-term exposure (nine years) of birch (Betula papyrifera) trees to elevated CO₂ and/or O₃ on reproduction and seedling development at the Aspen FACE (Free-Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment) site in Rhinelander, WI. We found that elevated CO₂ increased both the number of trees that flowered and the quantity of flowers (260% increase in male flower production), increased seed weight, germination rate, and seedling vigor. Elevated O₃ also increased flowering but decreased seed weight and germination rate. In the combination treatment (elevated CO₂ + O₃) seed weight is decreased (20% reduction) while germination rate was unaffected. The evidence from this study indicates that elevated CO₂ may have a largely positive impact on forest tree reproduction and regeneration while elevated O₃ will likely have a negative impact.

Keywords

seeds, seed quality, seed germination, flower production, seedlings growth and survival, elevated tropospheric ozone and carbon dioxide

Citation

Darbah, Joseph N.T.; Kubiske, Mark E.; Nelson, Neil; Oksanan, Elina; Vapaavuori, Elina; Karnosky, David F. 2008. Effects of decadal exposure to interacting elevated CO₂ and/or O₃ on paper birch (Betula papyrifera) reproduction. Environmental Pollution. 155: 446-452.