Pollen Production by Pinus taeda Growing in Elevated Atmospheric CO2

• Published in: Functional ecology 2006-06, Vol.20 (3), p.541-547
• Main Authors: Ladeau, S. L., Clark, J. S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Atmospherics; Autoecology; Biological and medical sciences; Carbon dioxide; climate change; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; FACE; fecundity; Forest canopy; Forest ecology; Forest trees; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Human ecology; Pinus taeda; Pollen; Population ecology; reproductive allocation; respiratory health; strobili; Tree growth; Trees
• ISSN: 0269-8463; 1365-2435
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2006.01133.x

1. Rising concentrations of atmospheric CO2may have important consequences for reproductive allocation in forest trees. Changes in pollen production could influence population dynamics and is likely to have important consequences for human health. This is the first study to evaluate pollen production by forest trees in response to rising atmospheric CO2. 2. Our research objective was to quantify pollen production by Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda L.) trees growing in elevated CO2(ambient +$200 \mu l l^{-1}$) since 1996. 3. Trees grown in$high-CO_2$plots first began producing pollen while younger and at smaller sizes relative to ambient-grown trees. Pollen cone and airborne pollen grain abundances were significantly greater in the fumigated stands. We conclude that the greater number of mature trees in$high-CO_2$plots resulted in greater pollen production at the stand level. 4. Precocious pollen production has important implications for fertilization and pollen dispersal from young, dense stands. Increasing levels of airborne pollen raise concerns for escalating rates of human respiratory disease.