Enhanced woody biomass production in a mature temperate forest under elevated CO2

Richard J. Norby (), Neil J. Loader, Carolina Mayoral, Sami Ullah, Giulio Curioni, Andy R. Smith, Michaela K. Reay, Klaske Wijngaarden, Muhammad Shoaib Amjad, Deanne Brettle, Martha E. Crockatt, Gael Denny, Robert T. Grzesik, R. Liz Hamilton, Kris M. Hart, Iain P. Hartley, Alan G. Jones, Angeliki Kourmouli, Joshua R. Larsen, Zongbo Shi, Rick M. Thomas and A. Robert MacKenzie ()
Additional contact information
Richard J. Norby: University of Birmingham
Neil J. Loader: Swansea University
Carolina Mayoral: University of Birmingham
Sami Ullah: University of Birmingham
Giulio Curioni: University of Birmingham
Andy R. Smith: Bangor University
Michaela K. Reay: University of Birmingham
Klaske Wijngaarden: University of Birmingham
Muhammad Shoaib Amjad: University of Birmingham
Deanne Brettle: University of Birmingham
Martha E. Crockatt: Mayfield House
Gael Denny: University of Birmingham
Robert T. Grzesik: University of Birmingham
R. Liz Hamilton: University of Birmingham
Kris M. Hart: University of Birmingham
Iain P. Hartley: University of Exeter
Alan G. Jones: Mayfield House
Angeliki Kourmouli: University of Birmingham
Joshua R. Larsen: University of Birmingham
Zongbo Shi: University of Birmingham
Rick M. Thomas: University of Birmingham
A. Robert MacKenzie: University of Birmingham

Nature Climate Change, 2024, vol. 14, issue 9, 983-988

Abstract: Abstract Enhanced CO2 assimilation by forests as atmospheric CO2 concentration rises could slow the rate of CO2 increase if the assimilated carbon is allocated to long-lived biomass. Experiments in young tree plantations support a CO2 fertilization effect as atmospheric CO2 continues to increase. Uncertainty exists, however, as to whether older, more mature forests retain the capacity to respond to elevated CO2. Here, aided by tree-ring analysis and canopy laser scanning, we show that a 180-year-old Quercus robur L. woodland in central England increased the production of woody biomass when exposed to free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) for 7 years. Further, elevated CO2 increased exudation of carbon from fine roots into the soil with likely effects on nutrient cycles. The increase in tree growth and allocation to long-lived woody biomass demonstrated here substantiates the major role for mature temperate forests in climate change mitigation.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41558-024-02090-3

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