1. Rising atmospheric CO2 reduces sequestration of root-derived soil carbon.
- Author
-
Heath J, Ayres E, Possell M, Bardgett RD, Black HI, Grant H, Ineson P, and Kerstiens G
- Subjects
- Betulaceae genetics, Betulaceae metabolism, Biomass, Carbon metabolism, Fagaceae genetics, Fagaceae metabolism, Nitrogen analysis, Photosynthesis, Pinaceae growth & development, Pinaceae metabolism, Plant Leaves chemistry, Plant Leaves metabolism, Plant Roots growth & development, Soil Microbiology, Trees growth & development, Atmosphere, Carbon analysis, Carbon Dioxide metabolism, Plant Roots metabolism, Soil analysis, Trees metabolism
- Abstract
Forests have a key role as carbon sinks, which could potentially mitigate the continuing increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration and associated climate change. We show that carbon dioxide enrichment, although causing short-term growth stimulation in a range of European tree species, also leads to an increase in soil microbial respiration and a marked decline in sequestration of root-derived carbon in the soil. These findings indicate that, should similar processes operate in forest ecosystems, the size of the annual terrestrial carbon sink may be substantially reduced, resulting in a positive feedback on the rate of increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration.
- Published
- 2005
- Full Text
- View/download PDF