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The fate of carbon in grasslands under carbon dioxide enrichment

Author

Listed:
  • Bruce A. Hungate

    (University of California
    Smithsonian Environmental Research Center)

  • Elisabeth A. Holland

    (National Center for Atmospheric Research)

  • Robert B. Jackson

    (University of Texas at Austin)

  • F. Stuart Chapin

    (University of California)

  • Harold A. Mooney

    (Stanford University)

  • Christopher B. Field

    (Carnegie Institution of Washington)

Abstract

The concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere is rising rapidly1, with the potential to alter many ecosystem processes. Elevated CO2 often stimulates photosynthesis2, creating the possibility that the terrestrial biosphere will sequester carbon in response to rising atmospheric CO2 concentration, partly offsetting emissions from fossil-fuel combustion, cement manufacture, and deforestation3,4. However, the responses of intact ecosystems to elevated CO2 concentration, particularly the below-ground responses, are not well understood. Here we present an annual budget focusing on below-ground carbon cycling for two grassland ecosystems exposed to elevated CO2 concentrations. Three years of experimental CO2 doubling increased ecosystem carbon uptake, but greatly increased carbon partitioning to rapidly cycling carbon pools below ground. This provides an explanation for the imbalance observed in numerous CO2 experiments, where the carbon increment from increased photosynthesis is greater than the increments in ecosystem carbon stocks. The shift in ecosystem carbon partitioning suggests that elevated CO2 concentration causes a greater increase in carbon cycling than in carbon storage in grasslands.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruce A. Hungate & Elisabeth A. Holland & Robert B. Jackson & F. Stuart Chapin & Harold A. Mooney & Christopher B. Field, 1997. "The fate of carbon in grasslands under carbon dioxide enrichment," Nature, Nature, vol. 388(6642), pages 576-579, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:388:y:1997:i:6642:d:10.1038_41550
    DOI: 10.1038/41550
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Jien & Felzer, Benjamin S. & Troy, Tara J., 2020. "Projected changes of carbon balance in mesic grassland ecosystems in response to warming and elevated CO2 using CMIP5 GCM results in the Central Great Plains, USA," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 434(C).
    2. Xiongwen Chen & Wilfred Post & Richard Norby & Aimée Classen, 2011. "Modeling soil respiration and variations in source components using a multi-factor global climate change experiment," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 107(3), pages 459-480, August.
    3. Steven W. Leavitt & Li Cheng & David G. Williams & Talbot Brooks & Bruce A. Kimball & Paul J. Pinter & Gerard W. Wall & Michael J. Ottman & Allan D. Matthias & Eldor A. Paul & Thomas L. Thompson & Nea, 2022. "Soil Organic Carbon Isotope Tracing in Sorghum under Ambient CO 2 and Free-Air CO 2 Enrichment (FACE)," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Craig D. Idso, 2001. "Earth's Rising Atmospheric Co2 Concentration: Impacts on the Biosphere," Energy & Environment, , vol. 12(4), pages 287-310, July.

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