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Net root growth and nutrient acquisition in response to predicted climate change in two contrasting heathland species

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Abstract

Background and aims

Accurate predictions of nutrient acquisition by plant roots and mycorrhizas are critical in modelling plant responses to climate change.

Methods

We conducted a field experiment with the aim to investigate root nutrient uptake in a future climate and studied root production by ingrowth cores, mycorrhizal colonization, and fine root N and P uptake by root assay of Deschampsia flexuosa and Calluna vulgaris.

Results

Net root growth increased under elevated CO2, warming and drought, with additive effects among the factors. Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization increased in response to elevated CO2, while ericoid mycorrhizal colonization was unchanged. The uptake of N and P was not increased proportionally with root growth after 5 years of treatment.

Conclusions

While aboveground biomass was unchanged, the root growth was increased under elevated CO2. The results suggest that plant production may be limited by N (but not P) when exposed to elevated CO2. The species-specific response to the treatments suggests different sensitivity to global change factors, which could result in changed plant competitive interactions and belowground nutrient pool sizes in response to future climate change.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank The CLIMAITE project, funded by the Villum Kann Rasmussen foundation and further supported by Air Liquide Denmark A/S and the participating institutions. The authors wish to thank Poul T. Sørensen, Preben Jørgensen and Svend Danbæk for keeping the CLIMAITE facilities running and constantly ready for field work. Iver Jakobsen is thanked for his help during P uptake studies and data analysis, and students are thanked for their assistance in the Lab.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958, Frederiksberg, Denmark

    M. F. Arndal & I. K. Schmidt

  2. Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology Section, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100, København Ø, Denmark

    M. P. Merrild & A. Michelsen

  3. Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

    T. N. Mikkelsen & C. Beier

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  1. M. F. Arndal
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  2. M. P. Merrild
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  3. A. Michelsen
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  4. I. K. Schmidt
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  5. T. N. Mikkelsen
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  6. C. Beier
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Correspondence to M. F. Arndal.

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Arndal, M.F., Merrild, M.P., Michelsen, A. et al. Net root growth and nutrient acquisition in response to predicted climate change in two contrasting heathland species. Plant Soil 369, 615–629 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1601-8

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