Evidence that higher [CO2] increases tree growth sensitivity to temperature: a comparison of modern and paleo oaks

Recent CO2 rise has modified the sensitivity of tropical tree growth to rainfall and temperature

Atmospheric CO₂ (c_a ) rise changes the physiology and possibly growth of tropical trees, but these effects are likely modified by climate. Such c_a  × climate interactions importantly drive CO₂ fertilization effects of tropical forests predicted by global vegetation models, but have not been tested empirically. Here we use tree-ring analyses to quantify how c_a rise has shifted the sensitivity of tree stem growth to annual fluctuations in rainfall and temperature. We hypothesized that c_a rise reduces drought sensitivity and increases temperature sensitivity of growth, by reducing transpiration and increasing leaf temperature. These responses were expected for cooler sites. At warmer sites, c_a rise may cause leaf temperatures to frequently exceed the optimum for photosynthesis, and thus induce increased drought sensitivity and stronger negative effects of temperature. We tested these hypotheses using measurements of 5,318 annual rings from 129 trees of the widely distributed (sub-)tropical tree species, Toona ciliata. We studied growth responses during 1950-2014, a period during which c_a rose by 28%. Tree-ring data were obtained from two cooler (mean annual temperature: 20.5-20.7°C) and two warmer (23.5-24.8°C) sites. We tested c_a  × climate interactions, using mixed-effect models of ring-width measurements. Our statistical models revealed several significant and robust c_a  × climate interactions. At cooler sites (and seasons), c_a  × climate interactions showed good agreement with hypothesized growth responses of reduced drought sensitivity and increased temperature sensitivity. At warmer sites, drought sensitivity increased with increasing c_a , as predicted, and hot years caused stronger growth reduction at high c_a . Overall, c_a rise has significantly modified sensitivity of Toona stem growth to climatic variation, but these changes depended on mean climate. Our study suggests that effects of c_a rise on tropical tree growth may be more complex and less stimulatory than commonly assumed and require a better representation in global vegetation models.

Biomass increases attributed to both faster tree growth and altered allometric relationships under long-term carbon dioxide enrichment at a temperate forest

Increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂ ) concentrations are expected to lead to increases in the rate of tree biomass accumulation, at least temporarily. On the one hand, trees may simply grow faster under higher CO₂ concentrations, preserving the allometric relations that prevailed under lower CO₂ concentrations. Alternatively, the allometric relations themselves may change. In this study, the effects of elevated CO₂ (eCO₂ ) on tree biomass and allometric relations were jointly assessed. Over 100 trees, grown at Duke Forest, NC, USA, were harvested from eight plots. Half of the plots had been subjected to CO₂ enrichment from 1996 to 2010. Several subplots had also been subjected to nitrogen fertilization from 2005 to 2010. Allometric equations were developed to predict tree height, stem volume, and aboveground biomass components for loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.), the dominant tree species, and broad-leaved species. Using the same diameter-based allometric equations for biomass, it was estimated that plots with eCO₂ contained 21% more aboveground biomass, consistent with previous studies. However, eCO₂ significantly affected allometry, and these changes had an additional effect on biomass. In particular, P. taeda trees at a given diameter were observed to be taller under eCO₂ than under ambient CO₂ due to changes in both the allometric scaling exponent and intercept. Accounting for allometric change increased the treatment effect of eCO₂ on aboveground biomass from a 21% to a 27% increase. No allometric changes for the nondominant broad-leaved species were identified, nor were allometric changes associated with nitrogen fertilization. For P. taeda, it is concluded that eCO₂ affects allometries, and that knowledge of allometry changes is necessary to accurately compute biomass under eCO₂ . Further observations are needed to determine whether this assessment holds for other taxa.

Different ways to die in a changing world: Consequences of climate change for tree species performance and survival through an ecophysiological perspective

Anthropogenic activities such as uncontrolled deforestation and increasing greenhouse gas emissions are responsible for triggering a series of environmental imbalances that affect the Earth's complex climate dynamics. As a consequence of these changes, several climate models forecast an intensification of extreme weather events over the upcoming decades, including heat waves and increasingly severe drought and flood episodes. The occurrence of such extreme weather will prompt profound changes in several plant communities, resulting in massive forest dieback events that can trigger a massive loss of biodiversity in several biomes worldwide. Despite the gravity of the situation, our knowledge regarding how extreme weather events can undermine the performance, survival, and distribution of forest species remains very fragmented. Therefore, the present review aimed to provide a broad and integrated perspective of the main biochemical, physiological, and morpho-anatomical disorders that may compromise the performance and survival of forest species exposed to climate change factors, particularly drought, flooding, and global warming. In addition, we also discuss the controversial effects of high CO2 concentrations in enhancing plant growth and reducing the deleterious effects of some extreme climatic events. We conclude with a discussion about the possible effects that the factors associated with the climate change might have on species distribution and forest composition.