Abstract
Context
Anthropogenic activity has increased the level of atmospheric CO2, which is driving an increase of global temperatures and associated changes in precipitation patterns. At Northern latitudes, one of the likely consequences of global warming is increased precipitation and air humidity.
Aims
In this work, the effects of both elevated atmospheric CO2 and increased air humidity on trees commonly growing in northern European forests were assessed.
Methods
The work was carried out under field conditions by using Free Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment (FACE) and Free Air Humidity Manipulation (FAHM) systems. Leaf litter fall was measured over 4 years (FACE) or 5 years (FAHM) to determine the effects of FACE and FAHM on leaf phenology.
Results
Increasing air humidity delayed leaf litter fall in Betula pendula, but not in Populus tremula × tremuloides. Similarly, under elevated atmospheric CO2, leaf litter fall was delayed in B. pendula, but not in Alnus glutinosa. Increased CO2 appeared to interact with periods of low precipitation in summer and high ozone levels during these periods to effect leaf fall.
Conclusions
This work shows that increased CO2 and humidity delay leaf fall, but this effect is species-specific.
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Acknowledgments
The FAHM study was supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Estonia (grant SF SF0180025s12) and by the EU through the European Social Fund (Mobilitas postdoctoral grant MJD 257) and the European Regional Development Fund (Centre of Excellence ENVIRON) and Project no. 3.2.0802.11-0043 (BioAtmos). The development of BangorFACE site infrastructure was funded by SRIF. We thank the Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities Partnership Centre for Integrated Research in the Rural Environment and the Forestry Commission Wales for financially supporting the running costs of the experiment. Andrew Smith was supported by the Sir Williams Roberts PhD Scholarship match funded by the Drapers’ Company.
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Handling Editor: Thomas Wohlgemuth
Contribution of the co-authors
Douglas Godbold. Instigated the BangorFACE experiment, analysed data and co-wrote the paper
Arvo Tullus. Instigated the FAHM experiment, collected and analysed data and co-wrote the paper
Priit Kupper. Instigated the FAHM experiment and co-wrote the paper
Jaak Sõber. Instigated and operated the FAHM experiment and analysed the weather data
Ivika Ostonen. Collected and analysed fine-root data
Andrew Smith. Collected and analysed data and wrote the original draft
Martin Lukac. Analysed data.
Iftekhar Ahmed. Collected leaves and carried out laboratory and data analysis
Jasmin Godbold. Carried out statistical analysis and data interpretation
Executive summary
The effects of both elevated atmospheric CO2 and increased air humidity on autumn leaf fall were assessed using free air systems. Both factors delayed leaf litter fall in Betula pendula, but not in Populus tremula × tremuloides or Alnus glutinosa.
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Godbold, D., Tullus, A., Kupper, P. et al. Elevated atmospheric CO2 and humidity delay leaf fall in Betula pendula, but not in Alnus glutinosa or Populus tremula × tremuloides . Annals of Forest Science 71, 831–842 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-014-0382-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-014-0382-4