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Boreal conifers maintain carbon uptake with warming despite failure to track optimal temperatures

Author

Listed:
  • Mirindi Eric Dusenge

    (Mount Allison University
    The University of Western Ontario
    The University of Western Ontario)

  • Jeffrey M. Warren

    (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

  • Peter B. Reich

    (University of Minnesota
    University of Western Sydney
    University of Michigan)

  • Eric J. Ward

    (Wetland and Aquatic Research Center)

  • Bridget K. Murphy

    (The University of Western Ontario
    University of Toronto Mississauga
    University of Toronto)

  • Artur Stefanski

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Raimundo Bermudez

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Marisol Cruz

    (Universidad de Los Andes)

  • David A. McLennan

    (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

  • Anthony W. King

    (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

  • Rebecca A. Montgomery

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Paul J. Hanson

    (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

  • Danielle A. Way

    (The University of Western Ontario
    The Australian National University
    Duke University
    Brookhaven National Laboratory)

Abstract

Warming shifts the thermal optimum of net photosynthesis (ToptA) to higher temperatures. However, our knowledge of this shift is mainly derived from seedlings grown in greenhouses under ambient atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) conditions. It is unclear whether shifts in ToptA of field-grown trees will keep pace with the temperatures predicted for the 21st century under elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Here, using a whole-ecosystem warming controlled experiment under either ambient or elevated CO2 levels, we show that ToptA of mature boreal conifers increased with warming. However, shifts in ToptA did not keep pace with warming as ToptA only increased by 0.26–0.35 °C per 1 °C of warming. Net photosynthetic rates estimated at the mean growth temperature increased with warming in elevated CO2 spruce, while remaining constant in ambient CO2 spruce and in both ambient CO2 and elevated CO2 tamarack with warming. Although shifts in ToptA of these two species are insufficient to keep pace with warming, these boreal conifers can thermally acclimate photosynthesis to maintain carbon uptake in future air temperatures.

Suggested Citation

  • Mirindi Eric Dusenge & Jeffrey M. Warren & Peter B. Reich & Eric J. Ward & Bridget K. Murphy & Artur Stefanski & Raimundo Bermudez & Marisol Cruz & David A. McLennan & Anthony W. King & Rebecca A. Mon, 2023. "Boreal conifers maintain carbon uptake with warming despite failure to track optimal temperatures," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-40248-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40248-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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