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Research on the Response of Vegetation to Elevated Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide¹

ABSTRACT

The global rise in atmospheric CO₂ is an established phenomenon. Irrespective of whether a CO₂-induced climate change occurs, it is abundantly clear that the earth's mantle of vegetation will be directly affected by increased CO₂ levels. Carbon dioxide is essential for plant growth (plants obtain C from CO₂ in the atmosphere); a higher level of CO₂ will increase the rate of photosynthesis. Quantitative information on the CO₂-induced growth response for field situations is needed for assessments of (i) possible benefits to agriculture, (ii) the amount of fossil C that can be sequestered by CO₂-accelerated growth of the biosphere, and (iii) unknown or unidentified effects of CO₂ on the physiology, structure, and function of plants and ecosystems. Along with knowledge of CO₂ effects on climate and other factors, information on direct plant effects will be used in comprehensive evaluations of policy options related to increasing atmospheric CO₂. Herein, a discussion of the plan by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to address the CO₂ problem is presented along with research results from two programs, one agricultural and the other ecological.

Key Words: CO₂ growth response • field CO₂ data • phytotron CO₂ data • productivity • research plan • water use efficiency

¹ This article describes activities and research that are part of the program activities of the Carbon Dioxide Research Division, U.S. Department of Energy; the Phytotron at Duke Univ., Durham, NC; and the Agricultural Research Service of the USDA, Auburn, AL.

² Program manager, Carbon Dioxide Research Division, Office of Energy Research, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC 20545; professor, Botany Dep., Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27706; and plant physiologist, USDA-ARS, Natl. Tillage Machinery Lab., Auburn, AL 36831 (formerly USDA-ARS, Raleigh, NC), respectively.

Received for publication February 27, 1984.