In:
Functional Ecology, Wiley, Vol. 36, No. 7 ( 2022-07), p. 1542-1558
Abstract:
Elevated atmospheric [CO 2 ] (‘eCO 2 ’) may alter species composition within vegetation types by favouring the growth of some species over others. However, other related changes in climate conditions, such as increased frequency and severity of drought, may reduce eCO 2 fertilisation effects on plant growth. For many species, it is not known if responses will reflect variability in trait adaptations due to environment. We grew seedlings of nine species of eucalypts indicative of three regional vegetation types (representing a mesic–xeric ecosystem gradient) under two CO 2 concentrations (400 parts per million; 640 ppm, i.e. eCO 2 ) and two watering regimes (well‐watered; drought‐like conditions). Elevated CO 2 increased biomass accumulation but drought reduced this effect, with mesic species experiencing larger relative reductions. Elevated CO 2 increased the size of storage organs used during resprouting, in the absence of drought. Typical drought responses, such as increased leaf mass per unit area and root mass ratio, were more pronounced in xeric species and were reduced under eCO 2 . Seedling growth and resprouting may be enhanced by eCO 2 , suggesting continued dominance of resprouting species in disturbance‐prone ecosystems, although severe drought is likely to offset eCO 2 fertilisation. Xeric species may cope with drought more effectively under eCO 2 than mesic species due to resource acquisition and storage traits that are more responsive. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0269-8463
,
1365-2435
DOI:
10.1111/1365-2435.14046
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2020307-X
detail.hit.zdb_id:
619313-4
SSG:
12
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