Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Vascular Plant Responses to Elevated CO2 in a Temperate Lowland Sphagnum Peatland

  • Published:
Plant Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Vascular plant responses to experimental enrichment with atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), using MINIFACE technology, were studied in a Dutch lowland peatland dominated by Sphagnum and Phragmites for 3 years. We hypothesized that vascular plant carbon would accumulate in this peatland in response to CO2 enrichment owing to increased productivity of the predominant species and poorer quality (higher C/N ratios) and consequently lower decomposability of the leaf litter of these species. Carbon isotope signatures demonstrated that the extra 180 ppmv CO2 in enriched plots had been incorporated into vegetation biomass accordingly. However, on the CO2 sequestration side of the ecosystem carbon budget, there were neither any significant responses of total aboveground abundance of vascular plants, nor of any of the individual species. On the CO2 release side of the carbon budget (decomposition pathway), litter quantity did not differ between ambient and CO2 treatments, while the changes in litter quality (N and P concentration, C/N and C/P ratio) were marginal and inconsistent. It appeared therefore that the afterlife effects of significant CO2-induced changes in green-leaf chemistry (lower N and P concentrations, higher C/N and C/P) were partly offset by greater resorption of mobile carbohydrates from green leaves during senescence in CO2-enriched plants. The decomposability of leaf litters of three predominant species from ambient and CO2-enriched plots, as measured in a laboratory litter respiration assay, showed no differences. The relatively short time period, environmental spatial heterogeneity and small plot sizes might explain part of the lack of CO2 response. When our results are combined with those from other Sphagnum peatland studies, the common pattern emerges that the vascular vegetation in these ecosystems is genuinely resistant to CO2-induced change. On decadal time-scales, water management and its effects on peatland hydrology, N deposition from anthropogenic sources and land management regimes that arrest the early successional phase (mowing, tree and shrub removal), may have a greater impact on the vascular plant species composition, carbon balance and functioning of lowland Sphagnum–Phragmites reedlands than increasing CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • R. Aerts (1997) ArticleTitleClimate, leaf litter chemistry and leaf litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems: a triangular relationship Oikos 79 439–449

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Aerts H. Caluwe Particlede (1997) ArticleTitleInitial litter respiration as indicator for long-term leaf litter decomposition of Carex species Oikos 80 353–361

    Google Scholar 

  • F. Berendse N. Breemen Particlevan H. Rydin A. Buttler M. Heijmans M.R. Hoosbeek J.A. Lee E. Mitchell T. Saarinen H. Vasander B. Wallén (2001) ArticleTitleRaised atmospheric CO2 levels and increased N deposition cause shifts in plant species composition and production in Sphagnum bogs New Phytol. 7 591–598

    Google Scholar 

  • J.H.C. Cornelissen A.L Carnelli T.V. Callaghan (1999) ArticleTitleGeneralities in the growth, allocation and leaf quality responses to elevated CO2 in eight woody species New Phytol. 141 401–409 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1469-8137.1999.00355.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M.F. Cotrufo P. Ineson A. Scott (1998) ArticleTitleElevated CO2 reduces the nitrogen concentration of plant tissues Glob. Change Biol. 4 43–54 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2486.1998.00101.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P.S. Curtis X. Wang (1998) ArticleTitleA meta-analysis of elevated CO2 effects on woody plant mass, form, and physiology Oecologia 113 299–313 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s004420050381

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P.H. Glaser J.A. Janssens D.I. Siegel (1990) ArticleTitleThe response of vegetation to chemical and hydrological gradients in the Lost River Peatland, northern Minnesota J. Ecol. 78 1021–1048

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Gorham (1991) ArticleTitleNorthern peatlands: role in the carbon cycle and probable responses to climatic warming Ecol. Appl. 1 182–195

    Google Scholar 

  • M.M.P.D. Heijmans W.J. Arp F. Berendse (2001) ArticleTitleEffects of elevated CO2 and vascular plants on evapotranspiration in bog vegetation Glob. Change Biol. 7 817–827 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1354-1013.2001.00440.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M.M.P.D. Heijmans H. Klees W. De Visser F. Berendse (2002) ArticleTitleResponse of a Sphagnum bog community to elevated CO2 and N supply Plant Ecol. 162 123–134 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1020368130679

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • S.E. Hobbie A. Shevtsova F.S. Chapin SuffixIII (1999) ArticleTitlePlant responses to species removal and experimental warming in Alaskan tussock tundra Oikos 84 417–434

    Google Scholar 

  • B. Hoorens R. Aerts M. Stroetenga (2002) ArticleTitleLitter quality and interactive effects in litter mixtures: more negative interactions under elevated CO2? J. Ecol. 90 1009–1016 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2745.2002.00732.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • B. Hoorens R. Aerts M. Stroetenga (2003a) ArticleTitleIs there a trade-off between the plant’s growth response to elevated CO2 and subsequent litter decomposability? Oikos 103 17–30 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXptVClsrg%3D Occurrence Handle10.1034/j.1600-0706.2003.12276.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • B. Hoorens R. Aerts M. Stroetenga (2003b) ArticleTitleDoes initial litter chemistry explain litter mixture effects on decomposition? Oecologia 137 578–586 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00442-003-1365-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M.R. Hoosbeek N. Breemen Particlevan F. Berendse P. Grosvenier H. Vasander B. Wallén (2001) ArticleTitleLimited effect of increased atmospheric CO2 concentration on ombrotrophic bog vegetation New Phytol. 150 459–463 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1469-8137.2001.00096.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M.R. Hoosbeek N. Breemen Particlevan H. Vasander A. Buttler F. Berendse (2002) ArticleTitlePotassium limits potential growth of bog vegetation under elevated atmospheric CO2 and N deposition Glob. Change Biol. 8 1130–1138 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2486.2002.00535.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • InstitutionalAuthorNameIPCC (2001) Climate Change 2001 – Synthesis Report Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Cambridge University Press Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • S. Jonasson (1988) ArticleTitleEvaluation of the point intercept method for the evaluation of plant biomass Oikos 52 101–106

    Google Scholar 

  • C. Körner (2000) ArticleTitleBiosphere responses to CO2 enrichment Ecol. Appl. 10 1590–1619

    Google Scholar 

  • F. Miglietta M.R. Hoosbeek J. Foot F. Gigon A. Hassinen M. Heijmans A. Peresotti T. Saarinen N. Breemen Particlevan B. Wallén (2001) ArticleTitleSpatial and temporal performance of the Miniface (Free air CO2 enrichment) system on bog ecosystems in northern and central Europe Environ. Monit. Assess. 66 107–127 Occurrence Handle11214346 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXhtVKjs7c%3D Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1026495830251

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • T.R. Moore J.L. Bubier S.E. Frolking P.M. Lafleur N.T. Roulet (2002) ArticleTitlePlant biomass and production and CO2 exchange in an ombrotrophic bog J. Ecol. 90 25–36 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.0022-0477.2001.00633.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. Murphy J.P. Riley (1962) ArticleTitleA modified single solution method for the determination of phosphate in natural waters Analytica Chimica Acta 27 31–36 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaF38XksVyntr8%3D Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0003-2670(00)88444-5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R.J. Norby M.F. Cotrufo (1998) ArticleTitleA question of litter quality Nature 396 17–18 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXntl2rs78%3D Occurrence Handle10.1038/23812

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R.J. Norby M.F Cotrufo P. Ineson E.G. O’Neill J.G. Canadell (2001a) ArticleTitleElevated CO2, litter chemistry, and decomposition: a synthesis Oecologia 127 153–165 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s004420000615

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R.J. Norby K. Kobayashi B.A. Kimball (2001b) ArticleTitleRising CO2 – future ecosystems New Phytol. 150 215–221 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1469-8137.2001.00118.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R.J. Norby Y. Luo (2004) ArticleTitleEvaluating ecosystem responses to rising atmospheric CO2 and global warming in a multi-factor world New Phytol. 162 281–293 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1469-8137.2004.01047.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • H. Poorter Y. Berkel Particlevan R. Baxter J. Den Hertog P. Dijkstra R.M. Gifford K.L. Griffin C. Roumet J. Roy S.C. Wong (1997) ArticleTitleThe effect of elevated CO2 on the chemical composition and construction cost of leaves of 27 C3 species Plant Cell Environ. 20 472–482 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXjtVOgsrY%3D Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-3040.1997.d01-84.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • H. Poorter M. Pérez-Soba (2001) ArticleTitleThe growth response of plants to elevated CO2 under non-optimal environmental conditions Oecologia 129 1–20 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s004420100736

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • H.M. Quested J.H.C. Cornelissen M.C. Press T.V. Callaghan R. Aerts F. Trosien P. Riemann D. Gwynn-Jones A. Kondratchuk S. Jonasson (2003) ArticleTitleLitter decomposition of sub-arctic plants with different nitrogen economies: a functional role for hemiparasites? Ecology 84 3209–3221

    Google Scholar 

  • C.C. Robinson A. Michelsen J.A. Lee S.J. Whitehead T.V. Callaghan M.C. Press S. Jonasson (1997) ArticleTitleElevated atmospheric CO2 affects decomposition of Festuca vivipara␣(L) Sm Litter and roots in experiments simulating environmental change in two contrasting ecosystems Glob. Change Biol. 3 37–49 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2486.1997.d01-133.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A.P. Rowland (1994) ArticleTitleLignin and cellulose fractionation in decomposition studies using acid-detergent fibre methods Comm. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 25 269–278 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXitFGqtrw%3D Occurrence Handle10.1080/00103629409369035

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • H. Saxe D.S. Ellsworth J. Heath (1998) ArticleTitleTree and forest functioning in an enriched CO2 atmosphere New Phytol. 139 395–436 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1469-8137.1998.00221.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • F.E.C. Sneller L.M. Heerwaarden Particlevan F.J.L. Kraaijeveld-Smit W.M. Ten Bookum P.L.M. Koevoets H Schat J.A.C. Verkleij (1999) ArticleTitleToxicity of arsenate in Silene vulgaris, accumulation and degradation of arsenate-induced phytochelatins New Phytol. 144 223–232 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXjvF2lsQ%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1469-8137.1999.00512.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • M. Stitt A. Krapp (1999) ArticleTitleThe interaction between elevated carbon dioxide and nitrogen nutrition: the physiological and molecular background Plant Cell Environ. 22 583–621 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXksVartLo%3D Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-3040.1999.00386.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • W. Stumm J.J. Morgan (1981) Aquatic Chemistry. An Introduction Emphasizing Chemical Equilibria in Natural Waters Wiley New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Toet S., Cornelissen J.H.C., Aerts R., van Logtestijn R.S.P., de Beus M.A.H. and Stoevelaar R. 2005. Moss responses to elevated CO2 and hydrology in a temperate peatland. Plant Ecology, DOI: 10.1007/s11258-005-9029-8

  • R. Meijden Particlevan der (1996) Heukels’ Flora van Nederland Wolters-Noordhoff Groningen

    Google Scholar 

  • L.M. Heerwaarden Particlevan (2004) From Leaf to Litter: Nutrient Resorption in a Changing Environment Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam The Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • L.M. Heerwaarden Particlevan S. Toet R. Aerts (2003) ArticleTitleCurrent measures of nutrient resorption efficiency lead to a substantial underestimation of real resorption efficiency: facts and solutions Oikos 101 664–669 Occurrence Handle10.1034/j.1600-0706.2003.12351.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Systems Ecology, Institute of Ecological Sciences Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam, 1081, HV, The Netherlands

    Rubén Milla, Johannes H. C. Cornelissen, Richard S. P. van Logtestijn, Sylvia Toet & Rien Aerts

  2. Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC), P.O. Box 202, 50080, Zaragoza, Spain

    Rubén Milla

  3. Environment Department, University of York Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, United Kingdom

    Sylvia Toet

Authors
  1. Rubén Milla
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Johannes H. C. Cornelissen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Richard S. P. van Logtestijn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sylvia Toet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Rien Aerts
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Milla, R., Cornelissen, J.H.C., van Logtestijn, R.S.P. et al. Vascular Plant Responses to Elevated CO2 in a Temperate Lowland Sphagnum Peatland. Plant Ecol 182, 13–24 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-005-9028-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-005-9028-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation