Impact of Elevated CO2 on Physiology and Needle Morphology of Scots Pine (Pinus Sylvestris) Seedlings

  • M. E. Jach
  • R. Ceulemans
Chapter
Part of the Forestry Sciences book series (FOSC, volume 52)

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to examine the impact of elevated atmospheric CO2 on leaf morphology, biochemistry and physiology of three year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings. Experimental facilities included four open top chambers (OTC), representing two replicated CO2 treatments, ambient (ca. 350 μmol mol−1, the current background level) and elevated CO2 (ambient + 350 μmol mol−1). Trees outside the OTC were considered the control plot. Scots pine seedlings grown in elevated CO2 for one growing season exhibited a positive response to elevated CO2 conditions in this study, showing higher photosynthetic rates, higher chlorophyll, nitrogen and carbon concentrations, an unchanged C/N ratio, increased needle and dry mass per unit leaf area. Leaf nitrogen concentrations increased when expressed on an area basis, but not when on a mass basis.

Key words

elevated CO2 chlorophyll content global change needle morphology nitrogen and carbon content photosynthesis Scots pine 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 1997

Authors and Affiliations

  • M. E. Jach
    • 1
  • R. Ceulemans
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of BiologyUniversity of Antwerp, UIAWilrijkBelgium

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