Independent, interactive, and species-specific responses of leaf litter decomposition to elevated CO2 and O3 in a northern hardwood forest

William F.J. Parsons; James G. Bockheim; Richard L. Lindroth

Independent, interactive, and species-specific responses of leaf litter decomposition to elevated CO₂ and O₃ in a northern hardwood forest

Informally Refereed

Authors:	William F.J. Parsons, James G. Bockheim, Richard L. Lindroth
Year:	2008
Type:	Scientific Journal
Station:	Northern Research Station
Source:	Ecosystems. 11: 505-519.

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Abstract

The future capacity of forest ecosystems to sequester atmospheric carbon is likely to be influenced by CO₂-mediated shifts in nutrient cycling through changes in litter chemistry, and by interactions with pollutants like O₃. We evaluated the independent and interactive effects of elevated CO₂ and O₃ on leaf litter decomposition in trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera) at the Aspen free air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) site (Wisconsin, USA). Fumigation treatments consisted of replicated ambient, +CO₂, +O₃, and +CO₂ + O₃ FACE rings.

Keywords

Betula papyrifera, elevated CO2, decomposition, elevated O3, FACE, leaf litter, limit values, litter quality, Populus tremuloides

Citation

Parsons, William F.J.; Bockheim, James G.; Lindroth, Richard L. 2008. Independent, interactive, and species-specific responses of leaf litter decomposition to elevated CO2 and O3 in a northern hardwood forest. Ecosystems. 11: 505-519.