Insect herbivory dampens Subarctic birch forest C sink response to warming

Tarja Silfver (), Lauri Heiskanen, Mika Aurela, Kristiina Myller, Kristiina Karhu, Nele Meyer, Juha-Pekka Tuovinen, Elina Oksanen, Matti Rousi and Juha Mikola
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Tarja Silfver: University of Helsinki
Lauri Heiskanen: Climate System Research
Mika Aurela: Climate System Research
Kristiina Myller: University of Eastern Finland
Kristiina Karhu: University of Helsinki
Nele Meyer: University of Helsinki
Juha-Pekka Tuovinen: Climate System Research
Elina Oksanen: University of Eastern Finland
Matti Rousi: Natural Resources Institute Finland
Juha Mikola: University of Helsinki

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Climate warming is anticipated to make high latitude ecosystems stronger C sinks through increasing plant production. This effect might, however, be dampened by insect herbivores whose damage to plants at their background, non-outbreak densities may more than double under climate warming. Here, using an open-air warming experiment among Subarctic birch forest field layer vegetation, supplemented with birch plantlets, we show that a 2.3 °C air and 1.2 °C soil temperature increase can advance the growing season by 1–4 days, enhance soil N availability, leaf chlorophyll concentrations and plant growth up to 400%, 160% and 50% respectively, and lead up to 122% greater ecosystem CO2 uptake potential. However, comparable positive effects are also found when insect herbivory is reduced, and the effect of warming on C sink potential is intensified under reduced herbivory. Our results confirm the expected warming-induced increase in high latitude plant growth and CO2 uptake, but also reveal that herbivorous insects may significantly dampen the strengthening of the CO2 sink under climate warming.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16404-4

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