Free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) enhances biomass production in a short-rotation poplar plantation

This paper investigates the possible contribution of Short Rotation Cultures (SRC) to carbon sequestration in both current and elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations ([CO2]). A dense poplar plantation (1 x 1 m) was exposed to a [CO2] of 550 ppm in Central Italy using the free-air CO2 enrichment (FA...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Tree physiology 2003-08, Vol.23 (12), p.805-814
Main Authors: Calfapietra, C, Gielen, B, Galema, A.N.J, Lukac, M, De Angelis, P, Moscatelli, M.C, Ceulemans, R, Scarascia-Mugnozza, G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomass
branches
carbon dioxide
Carbon Dioxide - physiology
carbon sequestration
carbon-dioxide enrichment
crop rotation
crown architecture
dry matter partitioning
elevated atmospheric co2
elevated atmospheric gases
equations
fine roots
forest plantations
hybrid poplar
light
light use efficiency
mathematical models
net primary production
nitrogen
Photosynthesis - physiology
pinus-sylvestris
Plant Roots - growth & development
Plant Shoots - growth & development
Populus - growth & development
Populus alba
Populus canadensis
Populus nigra
populus-grandidentata
roots
short rotation cultures
simulation models
soil n-availability
soil nutrients
stems
Trees - growth & development
wood density
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Summary:This paper investigates the possible contribution of Short Rotation Cultures (SRC) to carbon sequestration in both current and elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations ([CO2]). A dense poplar plantation (1 x 1 m) was exposed to a [CO2] of 550 ppm in Central Italy using the free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) technique. Three species of Populus were examined, namely P. alba L., P. nigra L. and P. x euramericana Dode (Guinier). Aboveground woody biomass of trees exposed to elevated [CO2] for three growing seasons increased by 15 to 27%, depending on species. As a result, light-use efficiency increased. Aboveground biomass allocation was unaffected, and belowground biomass also increased under elevated [CO2] conditions, by 22 to 38%. Populus nigra, with total biomass equal to 62.02 and 72.03 Mg ha-1 in ambient and elevated [CO2], respectively, was the most productive species, although its productivity was stimulated least by atmospheric CO2 enrichment. There was greater depletion of inorganic nitrogen from the soil after three growing seasons in elevated [CO2], but no effect of [CO2] on stem wood density, which differed significantly only among species.
ISSN:0829-318X
1758-4469
DOI:10.1093/treephys/23.12.805