Heritable Changes in Physiological Gas Exchange Traits in Response to Long-Term, Moderate Free-Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment.

ABSTRACT: Atmospheric carbon dioxide ([CO2]) concentrations significantly alter developmental plant traits with potentially far-reaching consequences for ecosystem function and productivity. However, contemporary evolutionary responses among extant plant species that coincide with modern, anthropogenically driven [CO2] rise have rarely been demonstrated among field-grown plant populations. Here we present findings from a long-term, free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) study in a seminatural European grassland ecosystem in which we observe a differential capacity among plant species to acclimate intrinsic water-use efficiencies (WUEs) in response to prolonged multigenerational exposure to elevated [CO2] concentrations. In a reciprocal swap trial, using controlled environment growth chambers, we

SUBMITTER: Holohan AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6802601 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature