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Elevated CO2 increases productivity and invasive species success in an arid ecosystem

Author

Listed:
  • Stanley D. Smith

    (Department of Biological Sciences University of Nevada)

  • Travis E. Huxman

    (Department of Biological Sciences University of Nevada
    University of Colorado)

  • Stephen F. Zitzer

    (University of Nevada)

  • Therese N. Charlet

    (Department of Biological Sciences University of Nevada)

  • David C. Housman

    (Department of Biological Sciences University of Nevada)

  • James S. Coleman

    (Division of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences Desert Research Institute)

  • Lynn K. Fenstermaker

    (Division of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences Desert Research Institute)

  • Jeffrey R. Seemann

    (University of Nevada)

  • Robert S. Nowak

    (University of Nevada)

Abstract

Arid ecosystems, which occupy about 20% of the earth's terrestrial surface area, have been predicted to be one of the most responsive ecosystem types to elevated atmospheric CO2 and associated global climate change1,2,3. Here we show, using free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) technology in an intact Mojave Desert ecosystem4, that new shoot production of a dominant perennial shrub is doubled by a 50% increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration in a high rainfall year. However, elevated CO2 does not enhance production in a drought year. We also found that above-ground production and seed rain of an invasive annual grass increases more at elevated CO2 than in several species of native annuals. Consequently, elevated CO2 might enhance the long-term success and dominance of exotic annual grasses in the region. This shift in species composition in favour of exotic annual grasses, driven by global change, has the potential to accelerate the fire cycle, reduce biodiversity and alter ecosystem function in the deserts of western North America.

Suggested Citation

  • Stanley D. Smith & Travis E. Huxman & Stephen F. Zitzer & Therese N. Charlet & David C. Housman & James S. Coleman & Lynn K. Fenstermaker & Jeffrey R. Seemann & Robert S. Nowak, 2000. "Elevated CO2 increases productivity and invasive species success in an arid ecosystem," Nature, Nature, vol. 408(6808), pages 79-82, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:408:y:2000:i:6808:d:10.1038_35040544
    DOI: 10.1038/35040544
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    Cited by:

    1. Chunbo Chen & Chi Zhang, 2017. "Projecting the CO 2 and Climatic Change Effects on the Net Primary Productivity of the Urban Ecosystems in Phoenix, AZ in the 21st Century under Multiple RCP (Representative Concentration Pathway) Sce," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-20, August.
    2. John G. Hampton & Anthony J. Conner & Birte Boelt & Thomas G. Chastain & Phil Rolston, 2016. "Climate Change: Seed Production and Options for Adaptation," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-17, July.
    3. Chen, Zheng & Wu, Yong-Ping & Feng, Guo-Lin & Qian, Zhong-Hua & Sun, Gui-Quan, 2021. "Effects of global warming on pattern dynamics of vegetation: Wuwei in China as a case," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 390(C).
    4. Claesson, Jonas & Nycander, Jonas, 2013. "Combined effect of global warming and increased CO2-concentration on vegetation growth in water-limited conditions," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 256(C), pages 23-30.
    5. Kyunsuk Choi & Hiroyuki Matsuura & Hyunjoung Lee & Il Sohn, 2016. "Achieving a Carbon Neutral Society without Industry Contraction in the Five Major Steel Producing Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-18, May.
    6. Nackley, Lloyd L. & Vogt, Kristiina A. & Kim, Soo-Hyung, 2014. "Arundo donax water use and photosynthetic responses to drought and elevated CO2," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 13-22.
    7. Feroz Khan, M. & Panikkar, Preetha, 2009. "Assessment of impacts of invasive fishes on the food web structure and ecosystem properties of a tropical reservoir in India," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 220(18), pages 2281-2290.
    8. Don Driscoll & Adam Felton & Philip Gibbons & Annika Felton & Nicola Munro & David Lindenmayer, 2012. "Priorities in policy and management when existing biodiversity stressors interact with climate-change," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 111(3), pages 533-557, April.
    9. Villanueva, Maria Concepcion S. & Isumbisho, Mwapu & Kaningini, Boniface & Moreau, Jacques & Micha, Jean-Claude, 2008. "Modeling trophic interactions in Lake Kivu: What roles do exotics play?," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 212(3), pages 422-438.
    10. Kefi, Sonia & Rietkerk, Max & Katul, Gabriel G., 2008. "Vegetation pattern shift as a result of rising atmospheric CO2 in arid ecosystems," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 74(4), pages 332-344.

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