Publications [#259526] of James S. Clark
search PubMed.Papers Published
- LaDeau, SL; Clark, JS, Rising CO2 levels and the fecundity of forest trees.,
Science (New York, N.Y.), vol. 292 no. 5514
(April, 2001),
pp. 95-98 [11292871], [doi] .
(last updated on 2024/04/23)Abstract:
We determined the reproductive response of 19-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) to 4 years of carbon dioxide (CO2) enrichment (ambient concentration plus 200 microliters per liter) in an intact forest. After 3 years of CO2 fumigation, trees were twice as likely to be reproductively mature and produced three times as many cones and seeds as trees at ambient CO2 concentration. A disproportionate carbon allocation to reproduction under CO2 enrichment results in trees reaching maturity sooner and at a smaller size. This reproductive response to future increases in atmospheric CO2 concentration is expected to change loblolly dispersal and recruitment patterns.