CO₂ -induced biochemical changes in leaf volatiles decreased fire-intensity in the run-up to the Triassic-Jurassic boundary.

ABSTRACT: The Triassic-Jurassic boundary marks the third largest mass extinction event in the Phanerozoic, characterized by a rise in CO₂ -concentrations from c. 600 ppm to c. 2100-2400 ppm, coupled with a c. 3.0-4.0°C temperature rise. This is hypothesized to have induced major floral turnover, altering vegetation structure, composition and leaf morphology, which in turn are hypothesized to have driven changes in wildfire. However, the effects of elevated CO₂ on fuel properties, such as chemical composition of leaves, are also important in influencing fire behaviour, but yet have not been considered. We test this by selecting three Triassic analogue species grown experimentally in different atmospheric compositions, and analyse variations in leaf chemistry, and leaf level flam

SUBMITTER: Baker SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9545750 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature