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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #137851
Title: EFFECTS OF ELEVATED ATMOSPHERIC CO2 ON NITROGEN AND CARBON CYCLING IN A MODEL LONGLEAF PINE COMMUNITY

Author
item Torbert, Henry - Allen
item Prior, Stephen - Steve
item Runion, George
item DAVIS, M - UNIV. OF SO. MISS.
item PRITCHARD, S - BELMONT UNIVERSITY
item Rogers Jr, Hugo

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/10/2002
Publication Date: 11/10/2002
Citation: Torbert, H.A., Prior, S.A., Runion, G.B., Davis, M.A., Pritchard, S.G., and Rogers, H.H. 2002. Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on nitrogen and carbon cycling in a model longleaf pine community. In Agronomy Abstracts [CD-ROM]. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI.

Interpretive Summary: Increasing global atmospheric CO2 concentration has led to concerns regarding its potential effects on the terrestrial environment and the long-term storage of C and N in soil. A study was conducted examining the responses to elevated CO2 on a typical regenerating longleaf pine-wiregrass community. The study consisted of a model community of five plant species: 1) a evergreen conifer (Pinus palustris), 2) a bunch grass (Aristida stricta), 3) a broadleaf tree (Quercus margaretta), 4) a perennial herbaceous legume (Crotalaria rotundifolia), and 5) a herbaceous perennial (Asclepias tuberosa). The CO2-enriched plots had greater aboveground biomass than ambient plots, mainly due to a increased pine biomass. After 5 yrs, soil (Blanton loamy sand: loamy, siliceous, thermic Grossarenic Paleudult) samples were collected from 0-5, 5-10, and 10-20 cm depth increments. Microbial respiration, potential C and N mineralization, and C turnover were measured during a 60 d incubation of the soil samples. Changes in these measures will be discussed.

Technical Abstract: ncreasing global atmospheric CO2 concentration has led to concerns regarding its potential effects on the terrestrial environment and the long-term storage of C and N in soil. A study was conducted examining the responses to elevated CO2 on a typical regenerating longleaf pine-wiregrass community. The study consisted of a model community of five plant species: 1) a evergreen conifer (Pinus palustris), 2) a bunch grass (Aristida stricta), 3) a broadleaf tree (Quercus margaretta), 4) a perennial herbaceous legume (Crotalaria rotundifolia), and 5) a herbaceous perennial (Asclepias tuberosa). The CO2-enriched plots had greater aboveground biomass than ambient plots, mainly due to a increased pine biomass. After 5 yrs, soil (Blanton loamy sand: loamy, siliceous, thermic Grossarenic Paleudult) samples were collected from 0-5, 5-10, and 10-20 cm depth increments. Microbial respiration, potential C and N mineralization, and C turnover were measured during a 60 d incubation of the soil samples. Changes in these measures will be discussed.