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Article: Early vs. asymptotic growth responses of herbaceous plants to elevated CO2.
- Article from:
- Ecology
- Article date:
- July 1, 1999
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1999 Ecological Society of America. 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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INTRODUCTION
Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels continue to increase at a rate of [approximately]0.45% per year, with the current global average exceeding 360 [[micro]liter]/L (IPCC 1996). The most immediate and well-characterized physiological effects of elevated C[O.sub.2] on plants are increased carbon uptake and reduced leaf-level transpiration (e.g., Bazzaz 1990, Bowes 1991, Curtis 1996). Physiological enhancement of carbon gain generally results in increased biomass accumulation over the short term. Accordingly, plant growth enhancements under elevated C[O.sub.2] have been extensively documented (Kimball 1983, Cure and Acock 1986, Poorter 1993, Poorter et ...