EARTH'S RISING ATMOSPHERIC CO₂ CONCENTRATION: IMPACTS ON THE BIOSPHERE

Concern has been expressed over the potential climatic and biological consequences of Earth's rising atmospheric CO₂ concentration, which is expected to double above pre-industrial values sometime this century. This paper reviews several of the biological consequences that are likely to result,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Energy & environment (Essex, England) England), 2001, Vol.12 (4), p.287-310
Main Author: Idso, Craig D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atmospherics
Biosphere
Carbon dioxide
Carbon sequestration
Climate change
Plant growth
Plants
Productivity
Sustainable agriculture
Terrestrial ecosystems
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Summary:Concern has been expressed over the potential climatic and biological consequences of Earth's rising atmospheric CO₂ concentration, which is expected to double above pre-industrial values sometime this century. This paper reviews several of the biological consequences that are likely to result, including enhanced plant photosynthesis and growth, an increase in plant water use efficiency, and the potential for atmospheric CO2 to reduce the growth-retarding effects of several environmental stresses. Implications of these phenomena are also briefly discussed, including the potential for atmospheric CO2 enrichment to enhance ecosystem biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
ISSN:0958-305X
2048-4070
DOI:10.1260/0958305011500797