Effects Of Elevated CO2 Research Articles

Forest stand and canopy development unaltered by 12years of CO2 enrichment.

Canopy structure—the size and distribution of tree crowns and the spatial and temporal distribution of leaves within them—exerts dominant control over primary productivity, transpiration and energy exchange. Stand structure—the spatial arrangement of trees in the forest (height, basal area and spacing)—has a strong influence on forest growth, allocation and resource use. Forest response to elevated atmospheric CO2 is likely to be dependent on the canopy and stand structure. Here, we investigated elevated CO2 effects on the forest structure of a Liquidambar styraciflua L. stand in a free-air CO2 enrichment experiment, considering leaves, tree crowns, forest canopy and stand structure. During the 12-year experiment, the trees increased in height by 5 m and basal area increased by 37%. Basal area distribution among trees shifted from a relatively narrow distribution to a much broader one, but there was little evidence of a CO2 effect on height growth or basal area distribution. The differentiation into crown classes over time led to an increase in the number of unproductive intermediate and suppressed trees and to a greater concentration of stand basal area in the largest trees. A whole-tree harvest at the end of the experiment permitted detailed analysis of canopy structure. There was little effect of CO2 enrichment on the relative leaf area distribution within tree crowns and there was little change from 1998 to 2009. Leaf characteristics (leaf mass per unit area and nitrogen content) varied with crown depth; any effects of elevated CO2 were much smaller than the variation within the crown and were consistent throughout the crown. In this young, even-aged, monoculture plantation forest, there was little evidence that elevated CO2 accelerated tree and stand development, and there were remarkably small changes in canopy structure. Questions remain as to whether a more diverse, mixed species forest would respond similarly.

Effect of Elevated CO2 on N2O Emissions from Different Rice Cultivars in Rice Fields

Using the free air CO2 enrichment (FACE) platform, an in-situ field experiment was conducted to explore the impacts of elevated CO2 mole fraction (x[CO2]) on N2O emissions from strongly and weakly responsive rice cultivars. Under elevated x[CO2], grain yield of the strongly responsive rice cultivars increased significantly, by more than 30%, whereas the weakly responsive cultivars showed a growth rate of 10%-15%. The four treatments comprised A-W (normal x[CO2]+weakly responsive cultivar), F-W (elevated x[CO2]+weakly responsive cultivar), A-S (normal x[CO2]+strongly responsive cultivar), and F-S (elevated x[CO2]+strongly responsive cultivar). Compared to the normal x[CO2] treatments (A-S and A-W), when the strongly and weakly responsive cultivars were exposed to elevated x[CO2](F-S and F-W), N2O emissions decreased by 52.54% (P<0.05) and 38.40% (P<0.05), rice yield increased by 22.96% (P<0.05) and 12.11% (P>0.05), and N2O emission intensity decreased by 61.68% (P<0.05) and 45.13% (P<0.05), respectively. Moreover, N2O emissions of all treatments were significantly positively correlated with NH4+-N content (P<0.05), whereas not correlated with NO2--N content. Soil temperature is an important factor affecting the N2O emissions of the strongly responsive cultivar in rice fields under elevated x[CO2] conditions. Through comprehensive consideration of climate conditions, in the future, priority should be given to planting the strongly responsive cultivar, ensuring high rice yield and significant reduction in N2O emissions.

The role of soils in the regulation of ocean acidification.

Soils play an important role in mediating chemical weathering reactions and carbon transfer from the land to the ocean. Proposals to increase the contribution of alkalinity to the oceans through ‘enhanced weathering’ as a means to help prevent climate change are gaining increasing attention. This would augment the existing connection between the biogeochemical function of soils and alkalinity levels in the ocean. The feasibility of enhanced weathering depends on the combined influence of what minerals are added to soils, the formation of secondary minerals in soils and the drainage regime, and the partial pressure of respired CO2 around the dissolving mineral. Increasing the alkalinity levels in the ocean through enhanced weathering could help to ameliorate the effects of ocean acidification in two ways. First, enhanced weathering would slightly elevate the pH of drainage waters, and the receiving coastal waters. The elevated pH would result in an increase in carbonate mineral saturation states, and a partial reversal in the effects of elevated CO2. Second, the increase in alkalinity would help to replenish the ocean's buffering capacity by maintaining the ‘Revelle Factor’, making the oceans more resilient to further CO2 emissions. However, there is limited research on the downstream and oceanic impacts of enhanced weathering on which to base deployment decisions.This article is part of the theme issue ‘The role of soils in delivering Nature's Contributions to People’.

Species-Specific Nitrogen Resorption Efficiency in Quercus mongolica and Acer mono in Response to Elevated CO2 and Soil N Deficiency

To test the effects of elevated CO2 and soil N deficiency on N resorption efficiency (NRE) from senescing leaves in two non-N2-fixing deciduous broadleaved tree species, Japanese oak (Quercus mongolica var. grosseserrata Blume) and Painted maple (Acer mono Maxim. var. glabrum (Lév. Et Van’t.) Hara), potted seedlings were grown in a natural daylight phytotron with either ambient or elevated CO2 conditions (36 Pa and 72 Pa CO2) and with two levels of N (52.5 and 5.25 mg N pot−1 week−1 for high N and low N, respectively). We examined the N content (Nmass) of mature and senescent leaves, as well as photosynthesis and the growth of plants, and calculated both the mass-based NRE (NREmass) and leaf area-based NRE (NREarea). In both species, the Nmass of mature leaves decreased with high CO2 and low N, whereas the leaf mass per area (LMA) increased under elevated CO2, regardless of N treatments. In Q. mongolica, both the maximum rate of carboxylation (Vcmax) and the maximum electron transport rate (Jmax) were reduced by elevated CO2 and low N, but Vcmax exhibited an interactive effect of N and CO2 treatments. However, in A. mono, both the Vcmax and Jmax decreased under elevated CO2, regardless of N treatments. The partitioning of N for the photosynthetic function within leaves was also significantly decreased by elevated CO2 in both species and increased under low N in A. mono. The Nmass of senesced leaves decreased under low N in both species and exhibited an increase (Q. mongolica) or no effect (A. mono) by elevated CO2. The NREarea of Q. mongolica was affected by CO2 and N treatments, with a decrease under elevated CO2 compared to ambient CO2 and under low N compared to high N. The NREarea of A. mono was also affected by CO2 and N treatments and decreased under elevated CO2; however, unlike in the case of Q. mongolica, it increased under low N. We speculate that these interspecific differences in the responses of leaf N allocation, indicated by the photosynthetic (Vcmax and Jmax) and morphological (LMA) responses to elevated CO2, may have affected the NRE during defoliation under high CO2 and soil N-deficient conditions.

Elevated CO2 and temperature effect on growth and physiology of Chenopodium album L.

A study was conducted in open top chambers (OTCs) to understand the effect of elevated temperature (ambient+2±0.5oC) and elevated CO2 (550±50 ppm) individually and in combination on Chenopodium album. Impact of the climate variables was studied in terms of selected plant attributes, viz., leaf area, RGR etc. Study showed that elevated temperature as well as elevated CO2 individually and in combination had significant positive effect on growth and development, rate of photosynthesis, and water use efficiency of the Chenopodium album. Rate of transpiration and stomatal conductance increased marginally in plants grown at elevated temperature, but a marked decrease was evident at elevated CO2 individually and in combination with elevated temperature as compared that in plants grown in ambient conditions in the Chenopodium album. No significant changes were observed in relative water content and relative stress injury under any of the Chenopodium album. Treatments changes were evident with respect to the activity of antioxidant enzymes and nitrate reductase and peptide banding pattern using SDS-PAGE. This research was conducted to examine the joint effects of increased temperature and elevated CO2 level onChenopodium album (C3 weed). Results from this experiment suggested that rising (CO2) could alter physiochemical response for growth and development of Chenopodium album and it is well defined competitors with different crops in current changing climate conditions.

Lateral subsurface flow modulates forest mortality risk to future climate and elevated CO2

Forest mortality has been widely observed across the globe during recent episodes of drought and extreme heat events. But the future of forest mortality remains poorly understood. While the direct effects of future climate and elevated CO2 on forest mortality risk have been studied, the role of lateral subsurface water flow has rarely been considered. Here we demonstrated the fingerprint of lateral flow on the forest mortality risk of a riparian ecosystem using a coupled plant hydraulics-hydrology model prescribed with multiple Earth System Model projections of future hydroclimate. We showed that the anticipated water-saving and drought ameliorating effects of elevated CO2 on mortality risk were largely compromised when lateral hydrological processes were considered. Further, we found lateral flow reduce ecosystem sensitivity to climate variations, by removing soil water excess during wet periods and providing additional water from groundwater storage during dry periods. These findings challenge the prevailing expectation of elevated CO2 to reduce mortality risk and highlight the need to assess the effects of lateral flow exchange more explicitly moving forward with forest mortality projections.

Physiological and Transcriptome Responses to Elevated CO2 Concentration in Populus

Global climate change is heavily affected by an increase in CO2. As one of several efforts to cope with this, research on poplar, a representative, fast growing, and model organism in plants, is actively underway. The effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on the metabolism, growth, and transcriptome of poplar were investigated to predict productivity in an environment where CO2 concentrations are increasing. Poplar trees were grown at ambient (400 ppm) or elevated CO2 concentrations (1.4× ambient, 560 ppm, and 1.8× ambient, 720 ppm) for 16 weeks in open-top chambers (OTCs). We analyzed the differences in the transcriptomes of Populusalba × Populus glandulosa clone “Clivus” and Populus euramericana clone “I-476” using high-throughput sequencing techniques and elucidated the functions of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using various functional annotation methods. About 272,355 contigs and 207,063 unigenes were obtained from transcriptome assembly with the Trinity assembly package. Common DEGs were identified which were consistently regulated in both the elevated CO2 concentrations. In Clivus 29, common DEGs were found, and most of these correspond to cell wall proteins, especially hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HRGP), or related to fatty acid metabolism. Concomitantly, in I-476, 25 were identified, and they were related to heat shock protein (HSP) chaperone family, photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, and carbon metabolism. In addition, carbohydrate contents, including starch and total soluble sugar, were significantly increased in response to elevated CO2. These data should be useful for future gene discovery, molecular studies, and tree improvement strategies for the upcoming increased-CO2 environments.

Does a Large Ear Type Wheat Variety Benefit More From Elevated CO2 Than That From Small Multiple Ear-Type in the Quantum Efficiency of PSII Photochemistry?

Recently, several reports have suggested that the growth and grain yield of wheat are significantly influenced by high atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (CO2) because of it photosynthesis enhancing effects. Moreover, it has been proposed that plants with large carbon sink size will benefit more from CO2 enrichment than those with small carbon sink size. However, this hypothesis is yet to be test in winter wheat plant. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of elevated CO2 (eCO2) conditions on the quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry in large ear-type (cv. Shanhan 8675; greater ear C sink strength) and small multiple ear-type (cv. Early premium; greater vegetative C source strength) winter wheat varieties. The experiment was conducted in a free air CO2 enrichment (FACE) facility, and three de-excitation pathways of the primary reaction of PSII of flag leaf at the anthesis stage were evaluated under two CO2 concentrations (ambient [CO2], ∼415 μmol⋅mol–1, elevated [CO2], ∼550 μmol⋅mol–1) using a non-destructive technique of modulated chlorophyll fluorescence. Additionally, the grain yield of the two varieties was determined at maturity. Although elevated CO2 increased the quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (ΦPSII) of Shanhan 8675 (SH8675) flag leaves at the anthesis stage, the grain number per ear and 1,000-kernel weight were not significantly affected. In contrast, the ΦPSII of early premium (ZYM) flag leaves was significantly lower than that of SH8675 flag leaves at the anthesis stage, which was caused by an increase in the regulatory non-photochemical energy dissipation quantum (ΦNPQ) of PSII, suggesting that light energy absorbed by PSII in ZYM flag leaf was largely dissipated as thermal energy. The findings of our study showed that although SH8675 flag leaves exhibited higher C sink strength and quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry at the anthesis stage, these factors alone do not ensure improved grain yield under eCO2 conditions.

Effects of Elevated CO2 and Nitrogen Loading on the Defensive Traits of Three Successional Deciduous Broad-Leaved Tree Seedlings

To elucidate changes in the defensive traits of tree seedlings under global environmental changes, we evaluated foliar defensive traits of the seedlings of successional trees, such as beech, oak, and magnolia grown in a natural-light phytotron. Potted seedlings were grown under the combination of two CO2 concentrations (360 vs. 720 ppm) and two nitrogen (N) treatments (4 vs. 15 kg N ha−1 yr−1) for two growing seasons using quantitative chemical analyses and anatomical method. We hypothesized that the effects of CO2 and N depend on the successional type, with late successional species providing greater defense of their leaves against herbivores, as this species exhibits determinate growth. Beech, a late successional species, responded the most to both elevated CO2 concentration (eCO2) and high N treatment. eCO2 and low N supply enhanced the defensive traits, such as the high leaf mass per area (LMA), high carbon to N ratio (C/N ratio), and increase in the concentrations of total phenolic and condensed tannin in agreement with the carbon–nutrient balance (CNB) hypothesis. High N supply decreased the C/N ratio due to the high N uptake in beech leaves. Oak, a mid–late successional species, exhibited different responses from beech: eCO2 enhanced the LMA, C/N ratio, and concentration of total phenolics of oak leaves, but only condensed tannin increased under high N supply. Magnolia did not respond to all treatments. No interactive effects were observed between CO2 and N supply in all species, except for the concentration of total phenolics in oak. Although the amounts of phenolic compounds in beech and oak varied under eCO2 and high N treatments, the distribution of these compounds did not change. Our results indicate that the changes in the defensive traits of forest tree species under eCO2 with N loading are related to the successional type.

Effect of enriched CO2 atmosphere on morphological and chemical characteristics of Alternanthera philoxeroides

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the vital resources for plants and its concentrations in the atmosphere have been on the increase globally from the 18th century, and continue to rise at approximately 0.4% per year. Atmospheric CO2 enrichment could possibly modify growth and chemical profiles of plants, as well as plant–insect interactions. The present study investigated the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on stem diameters, above-ground biomass and secondary metabolite components of both terrestrial and aquatic forms of Alternanthera philoxeroides. Stem fragments of the weed were grown in six Open Top Chambers (OTCs): three chambers of ambient (~400 ppm) and three chambers of elevated (~1000 ppm) CO2 levels to simulate the current and future CO2 levels, respectively, based on prediction by IPCC (2013). Total dry weights of leaves and stems, as well as stem diameters were measured to evaluate growth and biomass accumulation in A. philoxeroides. Furthermore, chemical analyses were performed on leaf tissues of plants grown under both elevated and ambient atmospheric CO2 treatments to determine the concentration of secondary metabolites (phenolic acids and flavonoids). Results of the analyses revealed that CO2 enrichment significantly increased stem diameters and enhanced above-ground biomass accumulation in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Enriched CO2 atmosphere treatments increased concentration of secondary metabolites in leaf tissues, with leaves of plants grown under elevated CO2 exhibiting remarkably higher concentrations of phenolic acids and flavonoids. Total flavonoid content increased by 51.02% in aquatic plants and by 99.03% in terrestrial plants. Total phenolic content increased by 29.57% in aquatic plant leaves while in terrestrial plant leaves the increase was by 61.11%. Above-ground biomass accumulation and increase in stem diameters could enhance competitive ability of the species and its ability to invade and colonize new habitats in response to a future CO2-enriched atmosphere.

Species turnover underpins the effect of elevated CO2 on biofilm communities through early succession

Biofilms harbour a wealth of microbial diversity and fulfil key functions in coastal marine ecosystems. Elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) conditions affect the structure and function of biofilm communities, yet the ecological patterns that underpin these effects remain unknown. We used high-throughput sequencing of the 16S and 18S rRNA genes to investigate the effect of elevated CO2 on the early successional stages of prokaryotic and eukaryotic biofilms at a CO2 seep system off Shikine Island, Japan. Elevated CO2 profoundly affected biofilm community composition throughout the early stages of succession, leading to greater compositional homogeneity between replicates and the proliferation of the potentially harmful algae Prymnesium sp. and Biddulphia biddulphiana. Species turnover was the main driver of differences between communities in reference and high CO2 conditions, rather than differences in richness or evenness. Our study indicates that species turnover is the primary ecological pattern that underpins the effect of elevated CO2 on both prokaryotic and eukaryotic components of biofilm communities, indicating that elevated CO2 conditions represent a distinct niche selecting for a distinct cohort of organisms without the loss of species richness.

High nutrient supply and interspecific belowground competition enhance the relative performance of Picea mariana (Mill). B.S.P seedlings over Picea glauca [Moench] Voss. under elevated CO2

Key message We tested how nutrient supply and interspecific belowground competition affect ecophysiological and morphological responses to elevated CO 2 in black ( Picea mariana (Mill). B.S.P) and white spruce ( Picea glauca [Moench] Voss.). It is found that belowground competition and high nutrient greatly enhanced the relative performance of black spruce over white spruce at elevated CO 2 . ContextWe have previously found that interspecific belowground competition reduce growth, whole seedling photosynthesis, and biomass allocation to leaf and that belowground competition and nutrient supply affect responses to elevated CO2 in the above two species, but we did not examine the physiological and morphological mechanisms of the responses.AimsTo examine the interactive effects of belowground competition, nutrient supply and elevated CO2 on root morphology, photosynthetic rate, and biochemical and photochemical capacity of photosynthesis in black spruce (Sb, Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.) and white spruce (Sw, Picea glauca [Moench] Voss.).MethodsSeedlings were grown in individual containers (no belowground competition) or in a common container (belowground competition) under 380 vs. 720 µmol mol−1 CO2 and high vs. low nutrient supply in the greenhouse for one growing season.ResultsElevated CO2 stimulated photosynthesis and nutrient use efficiency to a much greater degree in black than white spruce when they were grown in the same container, particularly under high nutrient supply. The ability to produce a greater length of roots per unit volume of soil was associated with the response of black spruce.ConclusionThe synergistic effects of elevated CO2 and belowground competition on the physiology and root morphology of black spruce suggest that elevated CO2 will likely increase the relative competitiveness of black spruce over white spruce.

Rainfall frequency and soil water availability regulate soil methane and nitrous oxide fluxes from a native forest exposed to elevated carbon dioxide

Abstract Free‐air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) experiments in terrestrial ecosystems have demonstrated ecological responses of key ecosystem processes to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). However, CO2 fertilization responses in field conditions have seldom included methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), particularly in natural and mature forests, which are expected to have an important role in climate change mitigation. Herein, we aimed to capture the effect of elevated CO2 (eCO2; ambient vs. +150 ppm) on long‐term temporal dynamics of CH4 and N2O fluxes, followed by identification of climo‐edaphic factors explaining feedback responses. To achieve this, continuous monitoring of greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes using a manual chamber technique, over a 3‐year period was implemented in a mature dryland Eucalypt forest FACE (EucFACE) facility in Australia. The relationship between CH4 and N2O fluxes with rainfall indices and soil properties was also explored since they directly impact the microbial communities in the soil responsible for CH4 and N2O net emissions. Our results showed that in 3 years of eCO2 treatment, the amount and frequency of rainfall predicted GHG emissions in this native forest. We also found a significant reduction in CH4 sink (15%–25%) for some of the years as well as an overall treatment effect index reduction in N2O emissions under eCO2. Higher frequency of rain events with lower intensity led to highest CH4 sink followed by lowest N2O emissions due to fewer wet–dry cycles. Of all the environmental variables included, soil moisture, rainfall and pH were the main predictors of net CH4 and N2O emissions. Methane flux was also strongly influenced by soil texture. Our findings highlight the need to account for reduced forest CH4 sink under eCO2 in dryland ecosystems, which has implications for GHG budget predictions under future climate conditions. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

Delineating the mechanisms of elevated CO2 mediated growth, stress tolerance and phytohormonal regulation in plants.

Global climate change has drastically affected natural ecosystems and crop productivity. Among several factors of global climate change, CO2 is considered to be the dynamic parameter that will regulate the responses of all biological system on earth in the coming decade. A number of experimental studies in the past have demonstrated the positive effects of elevated CO2 on photosynthesis, growth and biomass, biochemical and physiological processes such as increased C:N ratio, secondary metabolite production, as well as phytohormone concentrations. On the other hand, elevated CO2 imparts an adverse effect on the nutritional quality of crop plants and seed quality. Investigations have also revealed effects of elevated CO2 both at cellular and molecular level altering expression of various genes involved in various metabolic processes and stress signaling pathways. Elevated CO2 is known to have mitigating effect on plants in presence of abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, temperature etc., while contrasting effects in thepresence of different biotic agents i.e. phytopathogens, insects and herbivores. However, a well-defined crosstalk is incited by elevated CO2 both under abiotic and biotic stresses in terms of phytohormones concentration and secondary metabolites production. With this background, the present review attempts to shed light on the major effects of elevated CO2 on plant growth, physiological and molecular responses and will highlight the interactive effects of elevated CO2 with other abiotic and biotic factors. The article will also provide deep insights into the phytohormones modulation under elevated CO2.

An antagonistic effect of elevated CO2 and warming on soil N2O emissions related to nitrifier and denitrifier communities in a Chinese wheat field

An antagonistic effect of elevated CO2 and warming on soil N2O emissions related to nitrifier and denitrifier communities in a Chinese wheat field

Soil organic carbon response to global environmental change depends on its distribution between mineral-associated and particulate organic matter: A meta-analysis

Soil organic carbon (SOC), as the largest terrestrial carbon pool, plays an important role in global carbon (C) cycling, which may be significantly impacted by global changes such as nitrogen (N) fertilization, elevated carbon dioxide (CO2), warming, and increased precipitation. Yet, our ability to accurately detect and predict the impact of these global changes on SOC dynamics is still limited. Investigating SOC responses to global changes separately for mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) and the particulate organic carbon (POC) can aid in the understanding of overall SOC responses, because these are formed, protected, and lost through different pathways. To this end, we performed a systematic meta-analysis of the response of SOC, MAOC, and POC to global changes. POC was particularly responsive, confirming that it is a better diagnostic indicator of soil C changes in the short-term, compared to bulk SOC and MAOC. The effects of elevated CO2 and warming were subtle and evident only in the POC fraction (+5.11% and − 10.05%, respectively), while increased precipitation had no effects at all. Nitrogen fertilization, which comprised the majority of the dataset, increased SOC (+5.64%), MAOC (+4.49%), and POC (+13.17%). Effect size consistently varied with soil depth and experiment length, highlighting the importance of long-term experiments that sample the full soil profile in global change SOC studies. In addition, SOC pool responses to warming were modified by degree of warming, differently for air and soil warming manipulations. Overall, we suggest that MAOC and POC respond differently to global changes and moderators because of the different formation and loss processes that control these pools. Coupled with additional plant and microbial measurements, studying the individual responses of POC and MAOC improves understanding of the underlying dynamics of SOC responses to global change. This will help inform the role of SOC in mitigating the climate crisis.

Physiological and molecular mechanisms of elevated CO2 in promoting the growth of pak choi (Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis)

Effects of elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) on plant growth and productivity has received considerable attention with atmospheric CO2 concentration increasing. This study examined the effects of elevated CO2 (800±50 μmol•mol−1) on plant growth, nutritional qualities, photosynthetic characters and leaf transcriptomes in pak choi (Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis) variety ‘Wuyueman’ treated from four real-leaf stage up to 40 days compared to ambient CO2 (approx. 400 μmol•mol−1). The results showed that elevated CO2 generally promoted plant growth with larger plant height, leaf size and number. Elevated CO2 also improved leaf quality with increased leaf vitamin C, chlorophyll, soluble protein, soluble sugar, and water contents by 7.70, 33.5, 3.44, 21.9 and 1.62% compared to the control, respectively, and decreased leaf organic acid content by 26.0%. Pak choi plants treated with elevated CO2 had higher net photosynthetic rate and light saturation point, and lower transpiration rate and light compensation point. Transcriptomes analysis identified 187 differentially expressed genes with 31 genes directly involved in the response to elevated CO2. Two genes involved in chlorophyll synthesis were up-regulated, indicating that elevated CO2 promoted chlorophyll synthesis. Elevated CO2 also increased chemical energy and accelerate carbon assimilation as evidenced by up-regulated genes involved in ATP and NADPH synthesis (7 genes) and Rubisco activity (6 genes). In addition, three genes involved in starch synthesis and the conversion of sugar; eight genes related to auxin synthesis and three genes related to cell growth and differentiation were all up-regulated under elevated CO2, which suggested that elevated CO2 speeded up synthesis of carbohydrates and auxin, and eventually promoted plant growth and leaf quality. This study enhances our understanding of physiological and molecular mechanism of elevated atmospheric CO2 on plant growth and quality.

Visuomotor Adaptation Brain Changes During a Spaceflight Analog With Elevated Carbon Dioxide (CO2): A Pilot Study.

Astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) must adapt to several environmental challenges including microgravity, elevated carbon dioxide (CO2), and isolation while performing highly controlled movements with complex equipment. Head down tilt bed rest (HDBR) is an analog used to study spaceflight factors including body unloading and headward fluid shifts. We recently reported how HDBR with elevated CO2 (HDBR+CO2) affects visuomotor adaptation. Here we expand upon this work and examine the effects of HDBR+CO2 on brain activity during visuomotor adaptation. Eleven participants (34 ± 8 years) completed six functional MRI (fMRI) sessions pre-, during, and post-HDBR+CO2. During fMRI, participants completed a visuomotor adaptation task, divided into baseline, early, late and de-adaptation. Additionally, we compare brain activity between this NASA campaign (30-day HDBR+CO2) and a different campaign with a separate set of participants (60-day HDBR with normal atmospheric CO2 levels, n = 8; 34.25 ± 7.9 years) to characterize the specific effects of CO2. Participants were included by convenience. During early adaptation across the HDBR+CO2 intervention, participants showed decreasing activation in temporal and subcortical brain regions, followed by post- HDBR+CO2 recovery. During late adaptation, participants showed increasing activation in the right fusiform gyrus and right caudate nucleus during HDBR+CO2; this activation normalized to baseline levels after bed rest. There were no correlations between brain changes and adaptation performance changes from pre- to post HDBR+CO2. Also, there were no statistically significant differences between the HDBR+CO2 group and the HDBR controls, suggesting that changes in brain activity were due primarily to bed rest rather than elevated CO2. Five HDBR+CO2 participants presented with optic disc edema, a sign of Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). An exploratory analysis of HDBR+CO2 participants with and without signs of SANS revealed no group differences in brain activity during any phase of the adaptation task. Overall, these findings have implications for spaceflight missions and training, as ISS missions require individuals to adapt to altered sensory inputs over long periods in space. Further, this is the first study to verify the HDBR and elevated CO2 effects on the neural correlates of visuomotor adaptation.

Funneliformis mosseae Improves Growth and Nutrient Accumulation in Wheat by Facilitating Soil Nutrient Uptake under Elevated CO2 at Daytime, Not Nighttime.

The concurrent effect of elevated CO2 (eCO2) concentrations and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on plant growth, carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) accumulations in plant and soil is largely unknown. To understand the mechanisms of eCO2 and mycorrhization on wheat (Triticum aestivum) performance and soil fertility, wheat seedlings were grown under four different CO2 environments for 12 weeks, including (1) ambient CO2 (ACO2, 410/460 ppm, daytime/nighttime), (2) sole daytime eCO2 (DeCO2, 550/460 ppm), (3) sole nighttime eCO2 (NeCO2, 410/610 ppm), and (4) dual or continuous daytime/nighttime eCO2 ((D + N)eCO2, 550/610 ppm), and with or without AMF (Funneliformis mosseae) colonization. DeCO2, NeCO2 and (D + N)eCO2 generally significantly increased shoot and root biomass, plant C, N, P and K accumulation, soil invertase and urease activity, but decreased shoot and root N, P and K concentrations, and soil available N, P and K. Compared with non-AMF, AMF effects on above-mentioned characteristics were significantly positive under ACO2, DeCO2 and (D + N)eCO2, but negative on plant biomass, C, N, P and K accumulation under NeCO2. Overall, AMF colonization alleviated soil nutrient constraints on plant responses to DeCO2, while NeCO2 decreased AMF’s beneficial effects on plants. These results demonstrated that an integration of AMF’s benefits to plants under factual field DeCO2 and/or NeCO2 will be critical for managing the long-term consequence of future CO2 rising on global cropping systems.

Long-Term Effect of Elevated CO2 on the Development and Nutrition Contents of the Pea Aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum).

It is predicted that the current atmospheric CO2 level will be doubled by the end of this century. Here, we investigate the impacts of elevated CO2 (550 and 750 μL/L) on the development and nutrition status of the green pea aphid for six generations, which is longer than previous studies. All seven examined physiological parameters were not affected over six generations under the ambient CO2 level (380 μL/L). However, the elevated CO2 levels (550 and 750 μL/L) prolonged nymph duration, decreased adult longevity, female fecundity and protein content, and increased the contents of total lipid, soluble sugar and glycogen. There was a significant interaction between the effect of CO2 levels and the effect of generations on nymph duration, female fecundity and adult longevity. The elevated CO2 had immediate effects on the female fecundity and the contents of total protein, total lipid and soluble sugar, starting within F0 generation. The adult longevity decreased, and the glycogen content increased from the F1 generation. However, the significant effect on the nymph development was only observed after three generations. Our study indicates that the elevated CO2 levels first influence the reproduction, the nutrition and the energy supply, then initiate aphid emergency responses by shortening lifespan and increasing glucose metabolism, and finally result in the slow development under further persistent elevated CO2 conditions after three generations, possibly leading to population decline under elevated CO2 conditions. Our results will guide further field experiments under climate change conditions to evaluate the effects of elevated CO2 on the development of the pea aphids and other insects, and to predict the population dynamics of the green pea aphid.