Global Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Concentration Research Articles

Effects of Elevated Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide on the Vineyard System of Vitis vinifera: A Review

Global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations will continue increasing throughout the next century, with profound effects on agriculture. The literature concerning the effects of climate change on viticulture has largely focused on the isolated effects of variables such as temperature and soil water deficit. Likewise, the research on the effects of elevated atmospheric CO₂ on grapevines is stunted at the categorical level, chiefly because of the difficulty of experimentally controlling the gaseous environment in situ for the years necessary to replicate the vineyard system in a future climate condition. Despite numerous studies on the short-term influence of environmental and cultural factors on grapevine development at elevated CO₂, the long-term effects remain poorly understood. The lack of field based elevated CO₂ experiments in the United States is an added challenge to predicting viticultural changes, particularly in California. This review focuses on the systemic effect of atmospheric CO₂ on <i>Vitis vinifera</i>, synthesizing physiological, phenological, and plant-pest interactions. Major findings from this synthesis inform of a predicted increase in pest pressure, advanced phenological timing, transient increase in water use efficiency for grapevine, and changes in grape berry chemistry. While water use efficiency is highly desirable, the prediction for current winegrape growing regions is a transient increase in water use efficiency subsequently limited by a lack of available soil water. Grapevine is influenced by the negative synergistic effects of heat, drought, and elevated CO₂, which will alter cultural practices including harvest and pest and disease control, with downstream effects on winemaking. Several options for adaptation are discussed including leaf removal, planting alternative varieties, and selective breeding of new varieties.

Metabolite and transcript profiling of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq) response to elevated [CO2] and temperature

IntroductionBy mid-century, global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) is predicted to reach 600 μmol mol−1 with global temperatures rising by 2 °C. Rising [CO2] and temperature will alter the growth and productivity of major food and forage crops across the globe. Although the impact is expected to be greatest in tropical regions, the impact of climate-change has been poorly studied in those regions.ObjectivesThis experiment aimed to understand the effects of elevated [CO2] (600 μmol mol−1) and warming (+ 2 °C), singly and in combination, on Panicum maximum Jacq. (Guinea grass) metabolite and transcript profiles.MethodsWe created a de novo assembly of the Panicum maximum transcriptome. Leaf samples were taken at two time points in the Guinea grass growing season to analyze transcriptional and metabolite profiles in plants grown at ambient and elevated [CO2] and temperature, and statistical analyses were used to integrate the data.ResultsElevated temperature altered the content of amino acids and secondary metabolites. The transcriptome of Guinea grass shows a clear time point separations, with the changes in the elevated temperature and [CO2] combination plots.ConclusionField transcriptomics and metabolomics revealed that elevated temperature and [CO2] result in alterations in transcript and metabolite profiles associated with environmental response, secondary metabolism and stomatal function. These metabolic responses are consistent with greater growth and leaf area production under elevated temperature and [CO2]. These results show that tropical C4 grasslands may have unpredicted responses to global climate change, and that warming during a cool growing season enhances growth and alleviates stress.

Examining Plant Physiological Responses to Climate Change through an Evolutionary Lens.

Since the Industrial Revolution began approximately 200 years ago, global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) has increased from 270 to 401 µL L−1, and average global temperatures have risen by 0.85°C, with the most pronounced effects occurring near the poles ([IPCC, 2013][1]). In

Future fire emissions associated with projected land use change in Sumatra.

Indonesia has experienced rapid land use change over the last few decades as forests and peatswamps have been cleared for more intensively managed land uses, including oil palm and timber plantations. Fires are the predominant method of clearing and managing land for more intensive uses, and the related emissions affect public health by contributing to regional particulate matter and ozone concentrations and adding to global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. Here, we examine emissions from fires associated with land use clearing and land management on the Indonesian island of Sumatra and the sensitivity of this fire activity to interannual meteorological variability. We find ~80% of 2005-2009 Sumatra emissions are associated with degradation or land use maintenance instead of immediate land use conversion, especially in dry years. We estimate Sumatra fire emissions from land use change and maintenance for the next two decades with five scenarios of land use change, the Global Fire Emissions Database Version 3, detailed 1-km2 land use change maps, and MODIS fire radiative power observations. Despite comprising only 16% of the original study area, we predict that 37-48% of future Sumatra emissions from land use change will occur in fuel-rich peatswamps unless this land cover type is protected effectively. This result means that the impact of fires on future air quality and climate in Equatorial Asia will be decided in part by the conservation status given to the remaining peatswamps on Sumatra. Results from this article will be implemented in an atmospheric transport model to quantify the public health impacts from the transport of fire emissions associated with future land use scenarios in Sumatra.

Spatio-temporal evaluation of carbon emissions from biomass burning in Southeast Asia during the period 2001–2010

Carbon emissions (CE) from fire-induced biomass burning have a marked effect on interannual fluctuations in global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. Biomass burning in Southeast Asia (SEA) is a dominant contributor toward these emissions, primarily through the effects of El Niño-induced droughts and deforestation. Nonetheless, our understanding of the spatiotemporal patterns and variability in fire CE of SEA is limited. In this study, fire CE in SEA were estimated at a spatial resolution of 5km during 2001–2010 using the recently developed MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) burned area products and the Biosphere model integrating Eco-physiological And Mechanistic approaches using Satellite data (BEAMS) with fire CE embedded. Three series of burned area data from MCD64A1, MCD45A1 and Global Fire Emissions Database version 3 (GFED3) in SEA were employed to estimate fire CE. In general, the three burned area datasets showed consistent temporal variation from 2001 to 2010 with average annual burned areas measuring 68,104, 50,933 and 61,263km2year−1, respectively. Burned areas were predominantly concentrated in Myanmar, northern Thailand, eastern Cambodia, and northern Laos, with marked differences in Sumatra and Kalimantan of Indonesia where peatland is extensively distributed. Fire CE estimated in the three simulations (BEAMS/MCD64A1, BEAMS/MCD45A1-Peat and BEAMS/GFED) exhibited similar spatial patterns with respect to burned area, with average annual fire CE of 232.6, 214.1 and 228.8 TgC, respectively, of which, in our current study the best result among the three estimations was BEAMS/MCD45A1-Peat, which was close to that obtained by GFED3 with 210.7 TgC. Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) values showed good consistency with both fire CE and Multivariate ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) Index values during 2001–2010, likely because of the deep peat soil burning under the influence of the El Niño phenomenon and Indian Ocean Dipole pattern in combination with anthropogenic disturbance through deforestation for palm oil plantation production.

A Numerical Investigation of Changes in Energy and Carbon Cycle Balances under Vegetation Transition due to Deforestation in the Asian Tropical Region

Temporal progress of forest reduction by deforestation in the Asian tropical region was simulated using a global climate model that included a new land-surface ecosystem model. The horizontal resolution of the model was 1.875°. Two experimental areas were defined: the Indochina peninsula (ICP) area, and the Maritime Continent (MTC) area. With a control simulation under the actual vegetation condition, a grassland experiment (C4 experiment) and a bare-soil experiment (BS experiment) were carried out. Forest vegetation in the experimental areas was gradually changed (at the latest actual rate) to non-forest type vegetation. The natural growth of C4 grass was reproduced in the C4 experiment, and the plant growth was deterred in the BS experiment. Each experiment was run for 100 model years. Temporal changes of the energy and the carbon cycle balances under the vegetation transition were examined. Compared with the control, the net radiation (RNE) decreased because of the increase in the land surface albedo. The sensible heat flux decreased because of the decreases in RNE and other particular reasons. The results for latent heat flux (E) in this study differed from those in our previous study. In the C4 experiment, E increased, especially in the ICP area; in the BS experiment, E decreased in both experimental areas. In the MTC area, the surface temperature in the C4 experiment increased because of the large influence of decreased precipitation. Decreases of the soil wetness in the C4 experiment were more significant in the MTC area, due to increased transpiration and the decreased precipitation. The change from forest vegetation to C4 grass vegetation induced the reduction of carbon absorption by the land surface. Continuous deforestation in the Asian tropical region certainly induces the elevations of the global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, even if the deforested area is not replaced by bare soil surface condition.

Late Palaeozoic global changes affecting high-latitude environments and biotas: An introduction

The Late Palaeozoic Ice Age (LPIA), spanning approximately from ~320 Ma (Serpukhovian, late Mississippian) to 290 Ma (mid-Sakmarian, Early Permian), represents the vegetated Earth’s largest and most long-lasting regime of severe and multiple glaciations, involving processes and patterns probably comparable to those of the Last Ice Age. Accompanying the LPIA occurred a number of broadly synchronous global environmental and biotic changes. These global changes, as briefly reviewed and summarized in this introductory paper, comprised (but are not limited to) the following: massive continental reorganization in the lead up to the final assembly of Pangea resulting in profound changes in global palaeogeography, palaeoceanography and palaeobiogeogarphy; substantially lowered global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations ( pCO 2), coupled with an unprecedented increase in atmospheric oxygen concentrations reaching Earth's all-time high in its last 600 million year history; sharp global temperature and sea-level drops (albeit with considerable spatial and temporal variability throughout the ice age); and apparently a prolonged period of global sluggish macro-evolution with both low extinction and origination rates compared to other times. In the aftermath of the LPIA, the world's climate entered into a transitional climate phase through the late Early to Middle Permian before its transformation into a greenhouse state towards the end-Permian. In recent years, considerable amount of data and interpretations have been published concerning the physical evidence in support of the LPIA, its broad timeframe and eustatic and ecosystem responses from the lower latitudes, but relatively less attention has been drawn to the impact of the ice age on late Palaeozoic high-latitude environments and biotas. It is with this mission in mind that we have organized this special issue, with the central focus on late Palaeozoic high latitude regions of both hemispheres, that is, Gondwana and northern Eurasia. Our aim is to gather a set of papers that not only document the physical environmental changes that had occurred in the polar regions of Gondwana and northern Eurasia during the LPIA, but also review on the biotic responses at different taxonomic, ecological and spatial scales to these physical changes in a refined chronological timeframe. This introductory paper is designed to provide a global context for the special issue, with a brief review of key late Palaeozoic global environmental changes (including: changes in global land-sea configurations, atmospheric chemistry, global climate regimes, global ocean circulation patterns and sea levels) and large-scale biotic (biogeographic and evolutionary) responses, followed by a summary of what we see as unresolved scientific issues and various working hypotheses concerning late Palaeozoic global changes and, in particular, the LPIA, as a possible reference to future research.

Human amplification of drought-induced biomass burning in Indonesia since 1960

Under drought conditions, biomass burning in Indonesia is a disproportionate contributor to the global carbon dioxide emissions from such events. An analysis of Indonesian records of large fires shows that their occurrence is linked to land use and population dynamics, and that the Indian Ocean climate and El Nino both have an equally important influence. Much of the interannual variability in global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations has been attributed to variability of emissions from biomass burning1,2,3. Under drought conditions, burning in Indonesia is a disproportionate contributor to these emissions, as seen in the 1997/98 haze disaster1,4. Yet our understanding of the frequency, severity and underlying causes of severe biomass burning in Indonesia is limited because of the absence of satellite data that are useful for fire monitoring before the mid-1990s. Here we present a continuous monthly record of severe burning events from 1960 to 2006 using the visibility reported at airports in the region. We find that these fires cause extremely poor air quality conditions and that they occur only during years when precipitation falls below a well defined threshold. Historically, large fire events have occurred in Sumatra at least since the 1960s. By contrast, the first large fires are recorded in Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) in the 1980s, despite earlier severe droughts. We attribute this difference to different patterns of changes in land use and population density. Fires in Indonesia have often been linked with El Nino1,2,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12, but we find that the Indian Ocean Dipole pattern is as important a contributing factor.

Recent and projected increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide and the potential impacts on growth and alkaloid production in wild poppy (Papaver setigerum DC.)

In the current study, we quantified changes in the growth and alkaloid content of wild poppy, (Papaver setigerum) as a function of recent and projected changes in global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, [CO2]. The experimental [CO2] values (300, 400, 500 and 600μmol mol−1) correspond roughly to the concentrations that existed during the middle of the twentieth century, the current concentration, and near and long-term projections for the current century (2050 and 2090), respectively. Additional carbon dioxide resulted in significant increases in leaf area and above ground biomass for P. setigerum at all [CO2] relative to the 300μmol mol−1 baseline. Reproductively, increasing [CO2] from 300 to 600μmol mol−1 increased the number of capsules, capsule weight and latex production by 3.6, 3.0 and 3.7×, respectively, on a per plant basis. Quantification of secondary compounds (i.e. those not involved in primary metabolism) included the alkaloids morphine, codeine, papaverine and noscapine. The amount of all alkaloids increased significantly on a per plant basis, with the greatest relative increase occurring with recent increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide (e.g. from 300 to 400μmol mol−1). Overall, these data suggest that as atmospheric [CO2] continues to increase, significant effects on the production of secondary plant compounds of pharmacological interest (i.e. opiates) could be expected.

Rising Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and Potential Impacts on the Growth and Toxicity of Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)

Because of its ability to induce contact dermatitis, the establishment and spread of poison ivy is recognized as a significant public health concern. In the current study, we quantified potential changes in the biomass and urushiol content of poison ivy as a function of incremental changes in global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (CO2). We also examined the rate of new leaf development following leaf removal to simulate responses to herbivory as functions of both CO2 and plant size. The experimental CO2 values (300, 400, 500. and 600 µmol mol−1) corresponded approximately to the concentration that existed during the middle of the 20th century, the current concentration and near and long-term projections for this century (2050 and 2090), respectively. Over 250 d, increasing CO2 resulted in significant increases in leaf area, leaf and stem weight, and rhizome length relative to the 300 µmol mol−1 baseline with the greatest relative increase occurring from 300 to 400 µmol mol−1. There was a nonsignificant (P = 0.18) increase in urushiol concentration in response to CO2; however, because of the stimulatory effect of CO2 on leaf biomass, the amount of urushiol produced per plant increased significantly for all CO2 above the 300 µmol mol−1 baseline. Significant increases in the rate of leaf development following leaf removal were also observed with increasing CO2. Overall, these data confirm earlier, field-based reports on the CO2 sensitivity of poison ivy but emphasize its ability to respond to even small (∼ 100 µmol mol−1) changes in CO2 above the mid-20th century carbon dioxide baseline and suggest that its rate of spread, its ability to recover from herbivory, and its production of urushiol, may be enhanced in a future, higher CO2 environment.

Temperature dependence of growth, development, and photosynthesis in maize under elevated CO 2

Global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations ( C a) are rising. As a consequence, recent climate models have projected that global surface air temperature may increase 1.4–5.8 °C with the doubling of C a by the end of the century. Because, changes in C a and temperature are likely to occur concomitantly, it is important to evaluate how the temperature dependence of key physiological processes are affected by rising C a in major crop plants including maize ( Zea mays L.), a globally important grain crop with C 4 photosynthetic pathway. We investigated the temperature responses of photosynthesis, growth, and development of maize plants grown at five temperature regimes ranging from 19/13 to 38.5/32.5 °C under current (370 μmol mol −1) and doubled (750 μmol mol −1) C a throughout the vegetative stages using sunlit controlled environmental chambers in order to test if the temperature dependence of these processes was altered by elevated C a. Leaf and canopy photosynthetic rates, C 4 enzyme activities, leaf appearance rates, above ground biomass accumulation and leaf area were measured. We then applied temperature response functions (e.g., Arrhenius and Beta distribution models) to fit the measured data in order to provide parameter estimates of the temperature dependence for modeling photosynthesis and development at current and elevated C a in maize. Biomass, leaf area, leaf appearance rate, and photosynthesis measured at growth C a was not changed in response to CO 2 enrichment. Carboxylation efficiency and the activities of C 4 enzymes were reduced with CO 2 enrichment indicating possible photosynthetic acclimation of the C 4 cycle. All measured parameters responded to growth temperatures. Leaf appearance rate and leaf photosynthesis showed curvilinear response with optimal temperatures near 32 and 34 °C, respectively. Total above ground biomass and leaf area were negatively correlated with growth temperature. The dependence of leaf appearance rate, biomass, leaf area, leaf and canopy photosynthesis, and C 4 enzyme activities on growth temperatures was comparable between current and elevated C a. The results of this study suggest that the temperature effects on growth, development, and photosynthesis may remain unchanged in elevated C a compared with current C a in maize.

Effects of Elevated CO&lt;SUB&gt;2&lt;/SUB&gt; and O&lt;SUB&gt;3&lt;/SUB&gt; on a Variant of the Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract Global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration [CO2] increased 20% in the last century and is expected to increase another 48% by 2050. Surface concentrations of ozone [O3] also are increasing rapidly in agricultural areas of the northern hemisphere and are expected to increase another 20% by 2050. To better understand the combined impact of increased [CO2] and [O3] on crop production in the Midwest, we used a 32-ha experimental field planted with soybean (Glycines max L. Merr.). The field included sixteen 21.3-m-diameter plots using free air gas concentration enrichment (FACE) to simulate the changes in atmospheric composition forecast for 2050. We evaluated the impact of elevated [CO2] and [O3] singly and in combination on adult and egg densities of the variant western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte. During 2003–2004, each of the four blocks included four plots, representing the four treatments (ambient atmospheric control, elevated [O3], elevated [CO2], and an elevated ...

Impacts of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide on model terrestrial ecosystems

In model terrestrial ecosystems maintained for three plant generations at elevated concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide, increases in photosynthetically fixed carbon were allocated below ground, raising concentrations of dissolved organic carbon in soil. These effects were then transmitted up the decomposer food chain. Soil microbial biomass was unaffected, but the composition of soil fungal species changed, with increases in rates of cellulose decomposition. There were also changes in the abundance and species composition of Collembola, fungal-feeding arthropods. These results have implications for long-term feedback processes in soil ecosystems that are subject to rising global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.

Cotton responses to nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and temperature interactions

Several studies were conducted to evaluate how increases in the global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration [CO2] and temperature affect growth and development rates, dry matter production, photosynthesis, and water use efficiency of cotton and how these responses are influenced by leaf N levels. In one study, cotton (cv. DPL 50) plants were grown at four temperatures (20/12, 25/17, 30/22, and 35/27°C day/night) until harvest at 70 days after emergence (DAE). Each temperature treatment was combined with [CO2] of 350 or 700 μL L−1. In another study, cotton (cv. DES 119) grown at two [CO2] received five N treatments (0, 1, 2, 6, and 10 mM NO3− in Hoagland's nutrient solution) at 17 DAE and every 2 days thereafter. Canopy gross photosynthetic rates increased with increasing [CO2] and temperature. The increased photosynthesis resulted in higher plant growth and dry matter accumulation rates except at the highest temperature. At 70 DAE, the maximum canopy dry matter accumulation rate occurred in 30/22°C. The 35/27°C treatment induced fruit abortion, resulting in greater dry matter accumulation in vegetative structures. Increases in plant dry weights by CO2 enrichment were greater in the two high temperature regimes than in the two lower temperature regimes. Water-use efficiency increased with increased [CO2] and decreased with increased temperature. Increases in water-use efficiency were due mainly to increased photosynthesis and partly to reduced canopy transpiration. Increase in leaf N concentration increased cotton photosynthesis and vegetative growth rates, and the increases were higher at 700 μL L−1 than at 350 μL L−1 [CO2].