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- Title
Elevated atmospheric CO and humidity delay leaf fall in Betula pendula, but not in Alnus glutinosa or Populus tremula × tremuloides.
- Authors
Godbold, Douglas; Tullus, Arvo; Kupper, Priit; Sõber, Jaak; Ostonen, Ivika; Godbold, Jasmin; Lukac, Martin; Ahmed, Iftekhar; Smith, Andrew
- Abstract
Context: Anthropogenic activity has increased the level of atmospheric CO, 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 CO 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 CO, leaf litter fall was delayed in B. pendula, but not in Alnus glutinosa. Increased CO 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 CO and humidity delay leaf fall, but this effect is species-specific.
- Subjects
EUROPEAN white birch; ALNUS glutinosa; EUROPEAN aspen; GLOBAL warming; CLIMATE change
- Publication
Annals of Forest Science (BioMed Central), 2014, Vol 71, Issue 8, p831
- ISSN
1286-4560
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s13595-014-0382-4