Why are Nitrogen Concentrations in Plant Tissues Lower under Elevated CO_2? A Critical Examination of the Hypotheses

Plants grown under elevated atmospheric [CO2] typically have decreased tissue concentrations of N compared with plants grown under current ambient [CO2]. The physiological mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon have not been definitely established, although a considerable number of hypotheses have been advanced to account for it. In this review we discuss and critically evaluate these hypotheses. One contributing factor to the decreases in tissue N concentrations clearly is dilution of N by increased photosynthetic assimilation of C. In addition, studies on intact plants show strong evidence for a general decrease in the specific uptake rates （uptake per unit mass or length of root） of N by roots under elevated CO2. This decreased root uptake appears likely to be the result both of decreased N demand by shoots and of decreased ability of the soil-root system to supply N. The best-supported mechanism for decreased N supply is a decrease in transpiration-driven mass flow of N in soils due to decreased stomatal conductance at elevated CO2, although some evidence suggests that altered root system architecture may also play a role. There is also limited evidence suggesting that under elevated CO2, plants may exhibit increased rates of N loss through volatilization and/or root exudation, further contributing to lowering tissue N concentrations.

N-doped graphene and TiO_2 supported manganese and cerium oxides on low-temperature selective catalytic reduction of NO_x with NH_3

A series of N-doped graphene(NG)and TiO_2 supported MnO_x–CeO_2 catalysts were prepared prepared by a hydrothermal method.The catalysts with different molar ratios of Mn/Ce(6:1,10:1,15:1)were investigated for the low-temperature selective catalytic reduction(SCR)of NO_x with NH_3.The synthesized catalysts were characterized by HRTEM,SEM,XRD,BET,XPS,and NH_3-TPD technologies.The characterization results indicated that manganese and cerium oxide particles dispersed on the surface of the TiO_2–NG support uniformly,and that manganese and cerium oxides existed in different valences on the surface of the TiO_2–NG support.At Mn element loading of 8 wt%,MnO_x–CeO_2(10:1)/TiO_2–1%NG displayed superior activity and improved SO_(2 )resistance.On the basis of the catalyst characterization,excellent catalytic performance and SO_2 tolerance at low temperature were attributed to the high content of manganese with high oxidation valence,extensive oxidation of NO into NO_2 by CeO_2 and strong NO adsorption capacity,and electron transfer of N-doped graphene.

Structural and acoustic response of a finite stiffened conical shell

In this paper, a precise transfer matrix method is presented to calculate the struc- tural and acoustic responses of the conical shell. The governing equations of conical shells are written as a coupled set of first order differential equations. The field transfer matrix of the shell and non-homogenous term resulting from the external excitation are obtained by precise integra- tion method. After assembling the field transfer matrixes, the whole matrix describing dynamic behavior of the stiffened conical shell is obtained. Then the structural and acoustic responses of the shell are solved by obtaining unknown sound pressure coefficients. The natural frequencies of the shell are compared with the FEM results to test the validity. Furthermore, the effects of the semi-vertex angle, driving force directions and boundary conditions on the structural and acoustic responses are studied.

A field experimental study on the impact of Acer platanoides,an urban tree invader,on forest ecosystem processes in North America

Background:Invasive species affect community dynamics and ecosystem functions,but the mechanisms of their impacts are poorly understood.Hypotheses on invasion impact range from Superior Competitor to Novel Function,from Enemy Escape to Microbial Mediation.In this study,we examined the effects of an urban tree invader,Acer platanoides(Norway maple,NM),on a mesic deciduous forest in contrast to its native congener Acer rubrum(red maple,RM)with a split-plot design experiment.A total of 720 maple seedlings were transplanted to 72 plots under 24 trees of three canopy types.The three experimental treatments were removal of resource competition at above-and belowground and removal of leaf-litter effect.Soil moisture and nitrogen-related microbial activities were followed for each plot.Results:We found that partial canopy removal increased canopy openness and light transmission to the forest floor,but to a greater extent under NM than under RM trees.NM seedlings were more shade tolerant than RM seedlings in height growth.During the reciprocal transplantation in the mixed forest,biomass accumulation of NM seedlings under RM trees were twice as much as under NM,while that of RM seedlings under NM trees was 23.5%less than under RM.Soil net nitrification and relative nitrification were significantly higher,but mineralization rate was much lower under NM than under RM trees,which would lead to faster N leaching and lower N availability in the soil.Plots with litter removal had significantly higher seedling mortality due to herbivory by the end of 2 years,especially for NM seedlings under NM trees.Trenching enhanced soil water availability but there was no difference among canopy types.Conclusions:Our results demonstrated that invasion of NM not only altered forest canopy structure but also changed herbivory rate for seedlings and N dynamics in the soils.NM seedlings were more shade tolerant under NM canopies than RM seedlings and were more protected by NM litter under NM canopies than under RM canopies.These altered biotic and abiotic environments will likely facilitate further invasion of NM in the forests,hence positive feedbacks,and make it an increasingly serious tree invader in North America.

Biomass responses to intraspecific competition differ between wild species and CO_(2)

Aims How growth of wild and crop species responds to global environmental perturbations has both ecological and agricultural significance in a changing world.The primary aim of this synthesis was to quantitatively assess the interactive effects of intraspecific competition and elevated CO_(2) on biomass production in herbaceous species.Methods Using meta-analytical techniques,we synthesized data from publications before 2006 that reported biomass responses to elevated CO_(2) in 321 herbaceous species grown in isolation or in competition with con-specific individuals.Important findings Intraspecific competition differentially modified biomass responses to elevated CO_(2) in wild and crop species.For example,competition reduced CO_(2) stimulation of total biomass(WT)from 27 to 23%in wild species,but by a much greater magnitude,i.e.,from 43 to 32%in crops.Competition had no effect on responses of either above-(WAG)or below-ground(WBG)biomass to elevated CO_(2) in wild species,but significantly diminished CO_(2) enhancement of WAG,although not of WBG,in crops.Considerable variations were found among functional groups in the modification of growth responses to elevated CO_(2) by intraspecific competition,which exerted greater depression on CO_(2) enhancement in C3 than in C4 species and in non-legumes than in legumes.Elevated CO_(2) affected leaf and stem growth of individually grown C3 graminoids and forbs similarly,but increased leaf growth only in C4 graminoids and stem growth only in C4 forbs.Results from this synthesis demonstrated that intraspecific competition differentially affected growth responses to elevated CO_(2) in wild and crop species.The wildcrop species differences will have important implications for understanding primary production by herbaceous species in both natural and agricultural ecosystems in the future when atmospheric CO_(2) is significantly higher than the current level.