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Article: Carbon dioxide may help some trees.(Spectrum)(future of commercial loblolly pine forests)(Brief article)
- Article from:
- Environment
- Article date:
- October 1, 2006
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Heldref Publications. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide predicted for later this century may reduce the damage that future ice storms will cause to commercially important loblolly pine trees, according to a new study from Duke University researchers. Experiments at an outdoor test facility found that loblolly pines growing in conditions with the projected carbon dioxide levels for 2050 (roughly 1.5 times today's levels) fared better during and after a major ice storm.
"Before the storm, I was absolutely certain the pines would be more susceptible to ice damage under elevated concentrations of carbon dioxide," says Ram Oren, the director of the test site. However, the the carbon ...