Abstract
Abstract Background: The late XX century showed a sharp atmospheric δ 13 CO 2 decline mainly ascribed to increased emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) resulting from fossil fuel combustion. Thus, in the current global-warming scenario, a deep knowledge of biosphere–atmosphere interactions became especially relevant to adopt appropriate guidelines for climate change management. Objective: Although tree-rings can attest long-term atmospheric composition trends, C isotopic variability among individual trees often disturbs the accurate interpretation of 13 C atmospheric changes from tree-rings at different timescales. Therefore, the aim of this research is to overcome this intertree variability by applying an isotopic approach that can practically absorb high-frequency climatic irregularities and genetic variabilities from dendrochronological series, hence allowing the accurate deconvolution of past atmospheric composition to improve current models. Methods: This research is based on original isotopic dendrochronological results obtained by performing tree-by-tree differential studies with intra-tree δ 13 C shifts to allow interspecies data standardization. Results: The isotopic composition of dendrochronological series collected from northwestern Spanish coniferous ecosystems clearly reflected the corresponding atmospheric 13 C changes but the stringency of the match also depended on some silvicultural parameters, tree-ring isotopic composition being able to exhibit either a magnification or attenuation of atmospheric changes according to specific metabolic differences that modulate photosynthetic 13 C discrimination in each ecological context. Conclusion: Relative isotopic changes revealed from our 25-year-long dendrological research, which properly mirrored the contemporary atmospheric 13 CO 2 composition (1978–2002), also showed the biome sensitivity to atmospheric changes, pointing towards a notable aptitude to respond to even incipient mitigation strategies and a significant resilience capacity of the Earth system.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
