Effects of elevated CO_2 concentration and nitrogen supply on biomass and active carbon of freshwater marsh after two growing seasons in Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China

An experiments were carried out with treatments differing in nitrogen supply （0, 5 and 15 g N/m^2） and CO2 levels （350 and 700 μmol/mol） using OTC （open top chamber） equipment to investigate the biomass of Calamagrostis angustifolia and soil active carbon contents after two years. The results showed that elevated CO2 concentration increased the biomass of C. angustifolia and the magnitude of response varied with each growth period. Elevated CO2 concentration has increased aboveground biomass by 16.7% and 17.6% during the jointing and heading periods and only 3.5% and 9.4% during dough and maturity periods. The increases in belowground biomass due to CO2 elevation was 26.5%, 34.0% and 28.7% during the heading, dough and maturity periods, respectively. The responses of biomass to enhanced CO2 concentrations are differed in N levels. Both the increase of aboveground biomass and belowground biomass were greater under high level of N supply （15 g N/m^2）. Elevated CO2 concentration also increased the allocation of biomass and carbon in root. Under elevated CO2 concentration, the average values of active carbon tended to increase. The increases of soil active soil contents followed the sequence of microbial biomass carbon （10.6%） 〉 dissolved organic carbon （7.5%） 〉 labile oxidable carbon （6.6%） 〉 carbohydrate carbon （4.1%）. Stepwise regressions indicated there were significant correlations between the soil active carbon contents and plant biomass. Particularly, microbial biomass carbon, labile oxidable carbon and carbohydrate carbon were found to be correlated with belowground biomass, while dissolved organic carbon has correlation with aboveground biomass. Therefore, increased biomass was regarded as the main driving force for the increase in soil active organic carbon under elevated CO2 concentration.

Nitrogen Deficiency Limited the Improvement of Photosynthesis in Maize by Elevated CO_2 Under Drought

Global environmental change affects plant physiological and ecosystem processes. The interaction of elevated CO2, drought and nitrogen （N） deficiency result in complex responses of C4 species photosynthetic process that challenge our current understanding. An experiment of maize （Zea mays L.） involving CO2 concentrations （380 or 750 μmol mol1, climate chamber）, osmotic stresses （10% PEG-6000, -0.32 MPa） and nitrogen constraints （N deficiency treated since the 144th drought hour） was carried out to investigate its photosynthesis capacity and leaf nitrogen use efficiency. Elevated CO2 could alleviate drought-induced photosynthetic limitation through increasing capacity of PEPC carboxylation （Vp~,x） and decreasing stomatal limitations （SL）. The N deficiency exacerbated drought-induced photosynthesis limitations in ambient CO2. Elevated CO2 partially alleviated the limitation induced by drought and N deficiency through improving the capacity of Rubisco carboxylation （Vmax） and decreasing SL. Plants with N deficiency transported more N to their leaves at elevated CO2, leading to a high photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency but low whole-plant nitrogen-use efficiency. The stress mitigation by elevated CO2 under N deficiency conditions was not enough to improving plant N use efficiency and biomass accumulation. The study demonstrated that elevated CO2 could alleviate drought-induced photosynthesis limitation, but the alleviation varied with N supplies.

Increased sink capacity enhances C and N assimilation under drought and elevated CO_2 conditions in maize

The maintenance of rapid growth under conditions of CO2 enrichment is directly related to the capacity of new leaves to use or store the additional assimilated carbon （C） and nitrogen （N）. Under drought conditions, however, less is known about C and N transport in C4 plants and the contributions of these processes to new foliar growth. We measured the patterns of C and N accumulation in maize （Zea mays L.） seedlings using 13C and 15N as tracers in CO2 climate chambers （380 or 750 μmol mol-1） under a mild drought stress induced with 10% PEG-6000. The drought stress under ambient conditions decreased the biomass production of the maize plants; however, this effect was reduced under elevated CO2. Compared with the water-stressed maize plants under atmospheric CO2, the treatment that combined elevated CO2 with water stress increased the accumulation of biomass, partitioned more C and N to new leaves as well as enhanced the carbon resource in ageing leaves and the carbon pool in new leaves. However, the C counterflow capability of the roots decreased. The elevated CO2 increased the time needed for newly acquired N to be present in the roots and increased the proportion of new N in the leaves. The maize plants supported the development of new leaves at elevated CO2 by altering the transport and remobilization of C and N. Under drought conditions, the increased activity of new leaves in relation to the storage of C and N sustained the enhanced growth of these plants under elevated CO2.

Effects of elevated CO_2 on sensitivity of six species of algae and interspecific competition of three species of alga

Effects of elevated CO, （5000 μl/L） on sensitivity comparison of six species of algae and interspecific competition of three species of algae were investigated. The results showed that, the cell densities of six species of algae grown in elevated CO2 significantly increased compared to those in ambient CO2 （360 μl/L）, and with the time prolonged, the increasing extent increased. Therefore, elevated CO2 can promote the growth of six species of algae. However, there were differences in sensitivity between six species of algae. Based on the effects of elevated CO2 on biomass, the sensitive order （from high to low） was Platymanas sp., Platymanas subcordiformis, Nitzschia closterium, Isochrysis golbana Parke 8701, Dunoliella salina, Chlorella sp., on the condition of solitary cultivation. Compared to ambient CO2, elevated CO2 promoted the growth of three species of algae, Platymanas subcordiformis, Nitzschia closterium and Isochrysis galbana Parke 8701 under the condition of mixed cultivation. The sensitivity of the three species to elevated CO2 in mixed cultivation changed a lot compared to the condition of solitary cultivation. When grown in elevated CO2 under the condition of mixed cultivation, the sensitive order from high to low were Nitzschia clostertium, Platymonas subcordiformis; and Isochrysis galbana Parke 8701. However, under the condition of solitary cultivation, the sensitive order in elevated CO2 was Isochrysis galbana Parke 8701, Nitzschia clostertium, Platymonas subcordiformis, from sensitive to less sensitive. On the day 21, the dominant algae, the sub-dominant algae and inferior algae grown in elevated CO2 did not change. However, the population increasing dynamic and composition proportion of three algal species have significantly changed.

Response of successive three generations of cotton,bollworm,Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner),fed on cotton bolls under elevated CO_2

The growth, development and consumption of successive three generations of cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera （Htibner）, fed on cotton bolls grown under elevated CO2 （double-ambient vs. ambient） in open-top chambers were examined. Significant decreases in protein, total amino acid, water and nitrogen content and increases in free fatty acid were observed in cotton bolls. Changes in quality of cotton bolls affected the growth, development and food utilization of H. armigera. Significantly longer larval development duration in three successive generations and lower pupal weight of the second and third generations were observed in cotton bollworm fed on cotton bolls grown under elevated CO2. Significantly lower fecundity was also found in successive three generations of H. armigera fed on cotton bolls grown under elevated CO2. The consumption per larva occurred significant increase in successive three generations and frass per larva were also significantly increased during the second and third generations under elevated CO2. Significantly lower relative growth rate, efficiency of conversion of ingested food and significant higher relative consumption rate in successive three generations were observed in cotton bollworm fed on cotton bolls grown under elevated CO2. Significantly lower potential female fecundity, larval numbers and population consumption were found in the second and third generations of cotton bollworm fed on cotton bolls grown under elevated CO2. The integrative effect of higher larval mortality rate and lower adult fecundity resulted in significant decreases in potential population consumption in the latter two generations. The results show that elevated CO2 adversely affects cotton bolls quality, which indicates the potential population dynamics and potential population consumption of cotton bollworm will alleviate the harm to the plants in the future rising CO2 atmosphere.

Elevated CO_2 changes the moderate shade tolerance of yellow birch seedlings

To demonstrate the existence of light thresholds in plant growth and to examine the effects of elevated CO2 on the shade tolerance of a tree species, an experiment consisting of a completely randomized design for a total of 96 yellow birch （Betula alleghaniensis Britton） seedlings was conducted with 3 light levels （2.9%, 7.7%, 26.1% of full sunlight） × 2 CO2 levels （350 and 700±10 ppm） with 4 replications in a phytotron. The study proved that thresholds exist and they vary in different plant organs. In ambient CO2, the thresholds were 13.3%, 18.7%, 15.0%, 15.2%, and 15.6% of full sunlight for stem, leaf, root, total plant biomass, and the averaged value, respectively. In 700 ppm CO2, the corresponding thresholds were 16.7%, 21.3%, 18.1%, 21.7% and 19.5% for stem, leaf, root, total plant biomass, and the averaged value, respectively. The lowest threshold in the stem is an indicator of the minimal light intensity for regular growth for seedlings of this species. Below this threshold, light-stressful growth occurs. The result of a paired t-test indicated that the thresholds in elevated CO2 were significantly higher than in ambient CO2. This suggests that yellow birch will lose its moderate shade tolerance, evolutionally becoming a shade-intolerant species, and that it may become more difficult to naturally regenerate in the future.

Interactive Effects of Elevated CO_2 and Temperature on Rice Planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens

It is predicted that the current atmospheric CO2 concentration will be doubled and global mean temperature will increase by 1.5-6＆#176;C by the end of this century. Although a number of studies have addressed the separate effects of CO2 and temperature on plant-insect interactions, few have concerned with their combined impacts. In the current study, a factorial experiment was carried out to examine the effect of a doubling CO2 concentration and a 3℃ temperature increase on a complete generation of the brown planthopper （Nilaparvata lugens） on rice （Oryza sativa）. Both elevated CO2 and temperature increased rice stem height and biomass of stem parts. Leaf chlorophyll content increased under elevated CO2, but only in ambient temperature treatment. Water content of stem parts was reduced under elevated temperature, but only when coupled with elevated CO2. Elevated CO2 alone increased biomass of root and elevated temperature alone enhanced leaf area and reduced ratio of root to stem parts. Brown planthopper （BPH） nymphal development was accelerated, and weight of and honeydew excretion by the F1 adults was reduced under elevated temperature only. Longevity of brachypterous females was affected by a signiifcant interaction between CO2 and temperature. At elevated temperature, CO2 had no effect on female longevity, but at ambient temperature, the females lived shorter under elevated CO2. Female fecundity was higher at elevated than at ambient temperature and higher at elevated CO2 than at ambient CO2. These results indicate that the combined effects of elevated temperature and CO2 may enhance the brown planthopper population size.

Growth response of three plantation species of the tropics exposed to elevated CO_2 levels

The response of forest trees, the largest carbon sinks on the earth, to continuing rise in atmospheric carbon levels is unknown. Re- ports state that increasing levels of atmospheric CO2 will stimulate pho- tosynthesis and productivity in most ecosystems. However, the duration and magnitude of this stimulation, particularly in the tropics, remains a question. To investigate the effects of CO2 fertilization on plant growth, seedlings of three common plantation species, Casuarina equisetifolia, Ailanthus excelsa and Tectona grandis were grown in closed chambers enriched with CO2. After 180 days of treatment, morphological traits of seedling height, biomass of root and shoot and root-shoot allometric co-efficient were measured. The activity of carbonic anhydrase and con- tents of chlorophylls, total carbohydrates and soluble proteins were de- termined. In Tectona grandis, significant effects of CO2 supply were found on chlorophylls, root-shoot allometric ratio and seedling quality index. Ailanthus excelsa showed significant effect on only the shoot characteristics on exposure to elevated CO2 but the root characteristics and concentrations of chlorophylls were not significantly different. Ca- suarina equisetifolia also showed significant effects on exposure to ele- vated CO2 in terms of shoot characteristics and concentrations of chlo- rophylls. Total sugars, the major photosynthates, did not show any sig- nificant variation to elevated CO2 in any of the three species. Carbonic anhydrase, the key enzyme responsible for transfer of CO2 into the tis- sues significantly increased in all three species. Overall, all the variables responded to elevated CO2, reflecting the positive effects of one parame- ter of climate change conditions on seedling quality. A positive response of these three plantation species to elevated CO2 content is a good indi- cation for their future existence in potentially changed climatic eonditions.

Effects of elevated CO_2 on net photosynthetic rate of trees in Changbai Mountain

Net photosynthetic rates (NPRs) of four species seedlings, Pinus koraiensis, Ptrius Syvestriformis,Fraxinus mandshuthe and Phellodendron amurense, were measured at different CO2 concentrations and time respectively in Changbai Mountain during the growing season in 1999. The seedlings were cultivated in open-top chambers (OTCs), located outdoors and exposed to natural sunlight. The experimental objects were divided into four groups by tree species. CO2 concentrations in chambers were kept at 500 μL-L-1 and 700 μL-L-1 and contrast chamber and contrast field were set. The results showed that the effects of elevated CO2 on NPR of the trees strongly depended on tree species and time. NPRs of Pin us koreaipsis and Pinus syvestriformis seedfings increased with the rising of CO2 concentration, while that of Phellodron amurense and haus mandshurica increased at some time and decreased at another time.

Changes in root growth and relationships between plant organs and root hydraulic traits in American elm(Ulmus americana L.) and red oak(Quercus rubra L.) seedlings due to elevated CO_2 level

The relationships between plant organs and root hydrological traits are not well known and the question arises whether elevated CO2 changes these relationships. This study attempted to answer this question. A pseudo-replicated experiment was conducted with two times 24 American elm （Ulmus americana L.） and 23 and 24 red oak （Quercus rubra L.） seedlings growing in ambient CO2 （around 360 μmol.L^-1） and 540 ± 7.95 μmol.L^-1 CO2 in a greenhouse. After 71 days of treatment for American elm and 77 days for red oak, 14 American elm and 12 red oak seedlings from each of the two CO2 levels were randomly selected in order to examine the flow rate of root xylem sap, root hydraulic conductance, total root hydraulic conductivity, fine root and coarse root hydraulic conductivity. All seedlings were harvested to investigate total plant biomass, stem biomass and leaf biomass, leaf area, height, basal diameter, total root biomass, coarse root biomass and fine root biomass. The following conclusions are reached： 1） plant organs respond to the elevated CO2 level earlier than hydraulic traits of roots and may gradually lead to changes in hydraulic traits; 2） plant organs have different relationships with hydraulic traits of roots and elevated CO2 changes these relationships; the changes may be of importance for plants as means to acclimatize to changing environments; 3） biomass of coarse roots increased rather more than that of fine roots; 4） Lorentzian and Caussian models are better in estimating the biomass of seedlings than single-variable models. Key words American elm, biomass, elevated CO2, modeling, red oak, root hydraulic traits

Effect of elevated ambient CO_2 concentration on water use efficiency of Pinus sylvestriformis

Pinus Syvestfiformis is an important species as an indicator of global climate changes in Changbai Mountain, China. The water use efficiency (WUE) of this species (11 -year old ) was studied on response to elevated Co, concentration at 500±μLL' L-1 by directly injecting CO2 into the canopy under natural condition in 1998-1999. The results showed that the elevated Co, concentration reduced averagely stomatal opening, stomatal conductance and stomatal density to 78%, 80% and 87% respectively, as compared to normal ambient. The elevated Co, reduced the transpiration and enhances the water use efficiency (WUE) of plant.

Effects of elevated CO_2 on growth and carbon partitioning in rice

Rice (\%Oryza sativa\% cv. Jindao 1187) was grown in open_top chambers which contained ambient and enriched CO\-2. CO\-2 elevation stimulated rice tillering during early vegetative stage. However, panicle dry weight per plant did not change at maturity stage. Root biomass was enhanced by high CO\-2. Root / shoot ratio was increased under high CO\-2 at maturity, indicating more carbon allocation to the below_bround part in rice under high CO\-2.

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.

Interactive Effects of Drought Stresses and Elevated CO_2 Concentration on Photochemistry Efficiency of Cucumber Seedlings

To reveal and quantify the interactive effects of drought stresses and elevated CO2 concentration [CO2] on photochemistry efficiency of cucumber seedlings, the portable chlorophyll meter was used to measure the chlorophyll content, and the Imaging-PAM was used to image the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and rapid light response curves （RLC） of leaves in two adjacent greenhouses. The results showed that chlorophyll content of leaves was reduced significantly with drought stress aggravated. Minimal fluorescence （Fo） was increased while maximal quantum yield of PSII （Fv/Fm） decreased significantly by severe drought stress. The significant decrease of effective quantum yield of PSII （Y（Ⅱ）） accompanied by the significant increase of quantum yield of regulated energy dissipation （Y（NPQ）） was observed under severe drought stress condition, but there was no change of quantum yield of nonregulated energy dissipation （Y（NO））. We detected that the coefficient of photochemical quenching （qP） decreased, and non-photochemical quenching （NPQ） increased significantly under severe drought stress. Furthermore, we found that maximum apparent electron transport rate （ETRmax） and saturating photosynthetically active radiation （PPFDsat） decreased significantly with drought stress aggravated. However, elevated [CO2] significantly increased FvlFm, qP and PPFDsat, and decreased NPQ under all water conditions, although there were no significant effects on chlorophyll content, Fo, Y（Ⅱ）, Y（NPQ）, Y（NO） and ETRmax. Therefore, it is concluded that CO2-fertilized greenhouses or elevated atmospheric [CO2] in the future could be favorable for cucumber growth and development, and beneficial to alleviate the negative effects of drought stresses to a certain extent.

CO_2 absorption with ionic liquids at elevated temperatures

COcapture with ionic liquids（ILs） has attracted many attentions, and most works focused on absorption ability at ambient temperatures, while seldom research was concerned at elevated temperatures.This not only limits the COabsorption application at elevated temperature, but also the determination of the operation condition of the COdesorption generally occurring at higher temperature. This work mainly reported COsolubilities in ILs at elevated temperatures and related properties were also provided. 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis（trifluoromethylsulfonyl）imide（[CnMIm][TfN]） ILs were selected as physical absorbents for COcapture in this work due to their relative higher COabsorption capacities and good thermal stabilities. The long-term stability tests showed that [CnMIm][TfN] is thermally stable at 393.15 K for long time. COsolubilities in [CnMIm][TfN] were systematically determined at temperatures from 353.15 K to 393.15 K. It demonstrated that COsolubility obviously increases with the increase of pressure while slightly decreases with increase of temperature. As the length of alkyl chain on the cation increases, COsolubility in ILs increases. Additionally, the thermodynamic properties including the Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy of COwere also calculated.

Effects of Elevated CO_2 on Growth, Carbon Assimilation, Photosynthate Accumulation and Related Enzymes in Rice Leaves during Sink-Source Transition

To study the effects of growing rice （Oryza sativa L.） leaves under the treatment of the short-term elevated CO2 during the period of sink-source transition, several physiological processes such as dynamic changes in photosynthesis, photosynthate accumulation, enzyme activities （sucrose phosphate synthase （SPS）, and sucrose synthase （SS））, and their specific gene （spsl and RSusl） expressions in both mature and developing leaf were measured. Rice seedlings with fully expanded sixth leaf （marked as the source leaf, L6） were kept in elevated （700 μmol/mol） and ambient （350 mol/L） CO2 until the 7th leaf （marked as the sink leaf, L7） fully expanded. The results demonstrated that elevated CO2 significantly increased the rate of leaf elongation and biomass accumulation of L7 during the treatment without affecting the growth of L6. However, in both developing and mature leaves, net photosynthetic assimilation rate （A）, all kinds of photosynthate contents such as starch, sucrose and hexose, activities of SPS and SS and transcript levels of spsl and RSusl were significantly increased under elevated CO2 condition. Results suggested that the elevated CO2 had facilitated photosynthate assimilation, and increased photosynthate supplies from the source leaf to the sink leaf, which accelerated the growth and sink-source transition in new developing sink leaves. The mechanisms of SPS regulation by the elevated CO2 was also discussed.

Effect of Elevated CO_2 and Drought on Soil Microbial Communities Associated with Andropogon gerardii

Our understanding of the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2, singly and in combination with other environmental changes, on plant-soil interactions is incomplete. Elevated CO2 effects on C4 plants, though smaller than on C3 species, are mediated mostly via decreased stomatal conductance and thus water loss. Therefore, we characterized the interactive effect of elevated CO2 and drought on soil microbial communities associated with a dominant C4 prairie grass, Andropogon gerardii Vitman. Elevated CO2 and drought both affected resources available to the soil microbial community. For example, elevated CO2 increased the soil C：N ratio and water content during drought, whereas drought alone decreased both. Drought significantly decreased soil microbial biomass. In contrast, elevated CO2 increased biomass while ameliorating biomass decreases that were induced under drought. Total and active direct bacterial counts and carbon substrate use （overall use and number of used sources） increased significantly under elevated CO2. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that drought and elevated CO2, singly and combined, did not affect the soil bacteria community structure. We conclude that elevated CO2 alone increased bacterial abundance and microbial activity and carbon use, probably in response to increased root exudation. Elevated CO2 also limited drought-related impacts on microbial activity and biomass, which likely resulted from decreased plant water use under elevated CO2. These are among the first results showing that elevated CO2 and drought work in opposition to modulate plant-associated soil-bacteria responses, which should then influence soil resources and plant and ecosystem function.

Effects of elevated CO_2 levels on root morphological traits and Cd uptakes of two Lolium species under Cd stress

This study was conducted to investigate the combined effects of elevated CO2 levels and cadmium (Cd) on the root morphological traits and Cd accumulation in Lolium multiflorum Lam.and Lolium perenne L.exposed to two CO2 levels (360 and 1000 μl/L) and three Cd levels (0,4,and 16 mg/L) under hydroponic conditions.The results show that elevated levels of CO2 increased shoot biomass more,compared to root biomass,but decreased Cd concentrations in all plant tissues.Cd exposure caused toxicity to both Lolium species,as shown by the restrictions of the root morphological parameters including root length,surface area,volume,and tip numbers.These parameters were significantly higher under elevated levels of CO2 than under ambient CO2,especially for the number of fine roots.The increases in magnitudes of those parameters triggered by elevated levels of CO2 under Cd stress were more than those under non-Cd stress,suggesting an ameliorated Cd stress under elevated levels of CO2.The total Cd uptake per pot,calculated on the basis of biomass,was significantly greater under elevated levels of CO2 than under ambient CO2.Ameliorated Cd toxicity,decreased Cd concentration,and altered root morphological traits in both Lolium species under elevated levels of CO2 may have implications in food safety and phytoremediation.

Effect of elevated CO_2 concentration on photosynthetic characteristics of hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii under cadmium stress

The combined effects of elevated CO2 and cadmi- um （Cd） on photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll fluorescence and Cd accumulation in hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii Hance were investigated to predict plant growth under Cd stress with rising atmospheric CO2 concentration. Both pot and hydroponic experiments were conducted and the plants were grown under ambient （350 μL L^-1） or elevated （800μL L^-1） CO2. Elevated CO2 significantly （P 〈 0.05） increased Pn （105%- 149%）, Pnmax （38.8%-63.0%） and AQY （20.0%-34.8%） of S. alfredii in all the Cd treatments, but reduced chlorophyll concentra- tion, dark respiration and photorespiration. After lo days growth in medium with 50 μM Cd under elevated CO2, PSII activities were significantly enhanced （P 〈 0.05） with Pm, Fv/ Fm, φ（Ⅱ） and qP increased by 66.1%, 7.5%, 19.5% and 16.47o, respectively, as compared with ambient-grown plants. Total Cd uptake in shoot of S. alfredii grown under elevated CO2 wasincreased by 44.1%-48-5%, which was positively correlated with the increase in Pn. These results indicate that elevated CO2 promoted the growth of S. alfredii due to increased photosynthetic carbon uptake rate and photosynthetic light- use efficiency, and showed great potential to improve the phytoextraction of Cd by 5. alfredii.

Response of needle dark respiration of Pinus koraiensis and Pinus sylvestriformis to elevated CO_2 concentra-tions for four growing seasons’ exposure

The long-term effect of elevated CO2 concentrations on needle dark respiration of two coniferous spe- cies—Pinus koraiensis and Pinus sylvestriformis on the Changbai Mountain was investigated using open-top chambers. P. koraiensis and P. sylvestriformis were exposed to 700, 500 μmol·mol-1 CO2 and ambient CO2 (approx. 350 μmol·mol-1) for four growing seasons. Needle dark respiration was meas- ured during the second, third and fourth growing seasons’ exposure to elevated CO2. The results showed that needle dark respiration rate increased for P. koraiensis and P. sylvestriformis grown at elevated CO2 concentrations during the second growing season, could be attributed to the change of carbohydrate and/or nitrogen content of needles. Needle dark respiration of P. koraiensis was stimu- lated and that of P. sylvestriformis was inhibited by elevated CO2 concentrations during the third growing season. Different response of the two tree species to elevated CO2 mainly resulted from the difference in the growth rate. Elevated CO2 concentrations inhibited needle dark respiration of both P. koraiensis and P. sylvestriformis during the fourth growing season. There was consistent trend be- tween the short-term effect and the long-term effect of elevated CO2 on needle dark respiration in P. sylvestriformis during the third growing season by changing measurement CO2 concentrations. How- ever, the short-term effect was different from the long-term effect for P. koraiensis. Response of dark respiration of P. koraiensis and P. sylvestriformis to elevated CO2 concentrations was related to the treatment time of CO2 and the stage of growth and development of plant. The change of dark respiration for the two tree species was determined by the direct effect of CO2 and long-term acclimation. The prediction of the long-term response of needle dark respiration to elevated CO2 concentration based on the short-term response is in dispute.