edoc

Effects of elevated CO2 and phosphorus addition on productivity and community composition of intact monoliths from calcareous grassland

Stöcklin, Jürg and Schweizer, K. and Körner, Christian. (1998) Effects of elevated CO2 and phosphorus addition on productivity and community composition of intact monoliths from calcareous grassland. Oecologia, 116 (1-2). pp. 50-56.

[img]
Preview
PDF - Published Version
282Kb

Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A4707191

Downloads: Statistics Overview

Abstract

Climate change - Kohlendioxid - Populationen und ihre Dynamik We investigated the effects of elevated CO2 (600 mu l 1(-1) vs 350 mu l 1(-1)) and phosphorus supply (1 g P m(-2) year(-1) vs unfertilized) on intact monoliths from species-rich calcareous grassland in a greenhouse. Aboveground community dry mass remained almost unaffected by elevated CO2 in the first year(+ 6%, n.s.), but was significantly stimulated by CO2 enrichment in year two (+26%. P 0.05). Belowground biomass and stubble after two seasons were not different in elevated CO2 and when P was added. The small initial increase in aboveground community biomass under elevated CO2 is explained by the fact that some species, in particular Carex flacca, responded very positively right from the beginning, while others, especially the dominant Bromus erectus, responded negatively to CO2 enrichment. Shifts in community composition towards more responsive species explain the much larger CO2 response in the second year. These shifts, i.e., a decline in xerophytic elements (B. erectus) and an increase in mesophytic grasses and legumes occurred independently of treatments in all monoliths but were accelerated significantly by elevated CO2. The difference in average biomass production at elevated compared to ambient CO2 was higher when P was supplied (at the community level the CO2 response was enhanced from 20% to 33% when P was added, in graminoids from 17% to 27%, in legumes from 4% to 60%? and in C. flacca from 120% to 298% by year two). Based on observations in this and similar studies, we suggest that interactions between CO2 concentration, species presence, and nutrient availability will govern community responses to elevated CO2.
Faculties and Departments:05 Faculty of Science > Departement Umweltwissenschaften > Ehemalige Einheiten Umweltwissenschaften > Pflanzenökologie (Körner)
UniBasel Contributors:Stöcklin, Jürg and Körner, Christian
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:0029-8549
e-ISSN:1432-1939
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
Language:English
Identification Number:
edoc DOI:
Last Modified:13 Nov 2017 16:27
Deposited On:22 Mar 2012 13:46

Repository Staff Only: item control page