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    Seedling survival in a northern temperate forest understory in increased by elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide and atmospheric nitrogen deposition

    Access Status
    Fulltext not available
    Authors
    Sefcik, Lesley
    Zak, D.R.
    Ellsworth, D.S.
    Date
    2007
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
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    Citation
    Sefcik, L.T. and Zak, D.R. and Ellsworth, D.S. 2007. Seedling survival in a northern temperate forest understory in increased by elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide and atmospheric nitrogen deposition. Global Change Biology. 13 (1): pp. 132-146.
    Source Title
    Global Change Biology
    DOI
    10.1111/j.1365-2486.2006.01293.x
    ISSN
    1365-2486
    Faculty
    Office of the Academic Registrar
    School
    Office of the Academic Registrar
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/77907
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    We tested the main and interactive effects of elevated carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]), nitrogen (N), and light availability on leaf photosynthesis, and plant growth and survival in understory seedlings grown in an N‐limited northern hardwood forest. For two growing seasons, we exposed six species of tree seedlings (Betula papyrifera, Populus tremuloides, Acer saccharum, Fagus grandifolia, Pinus strobus, and Prunus serotina) to a factorial combination of atmospheric CO2 (ambient, and elevated CO2 at 658 μmol CO2 mol−1) and N deposition (ambient and ambient +30 kg N ha−1 yr−1) in open‐top chambers placed in an understory light gradient. Elevated CO2 exposure significantly increased apparent quantum efficiency of electron transport by 41% (P<0.0001), light‐limited photosynthesis by 47% (P<0.0001), and light‐saturated photosynthesis by 60% (P<0.003) compared with seedlings grown in ambient [CO2]. Experimental N deposition significantly increased light‐limited photosynthesis as light availability increased (P<0.037). Species differed in the magnitude of light‐saturated photosynthetic response to elevated N and light treatments (P<0.016). Elevated CO2 exposure and high N availability did not affect seedling growth; however, growth increased slightly with light availability (R2=0.26, P<0.0001). Experimental N deposition significantly increased average survival of all species by 48% (P<0.012). However, seedling survival was greatest (85%) under conditions of both high [CO2] and N deposition (P<0.009). Path analysis determined that the greatest predictor for seedling survival in the understory was total biomass (R2=0.39, P<0.001), and that carboxylation capacity (Vcmax) was a better predictor for seedling growth and survival than maximum photosynthetic rate (Amax). Our results suggest that increasing [CO2] and N deposition from fossil fuel combustion could alter understory tree species recruitment dynamics through changes in seedling

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