Publication Date:
2012-06-23
Description:
Warmer climates induced by elevated atmospheric CO 2 (eCO 2 ) are expected to increase damaging bark beetle activity in pine forests, yet the effect of eCO 2 on resin production—the tree's primary defense against beetle attack—remains largely unknown. Following growth-differentiation balance theory, if extra carbohydrates produced under eCO 2 are not consumed by respiration or growth, resin production could increase. Here, the effect of eCO 2 on resin production of mature pines is assessed. As predicted, eCO 2 enhanced resin flow by an average of 140% ( P = 0.03) in canopy dominants growing in low-nitrogen soils, but did not affect resin flow in faster-growing fertilized canopy dominants or in carbohydrate-limited suppressed individuals. Thus, pine trees may become increasingly protected from bark beetle attacks in an eCO 2 climate, except where they are fertilized or are allowed to become overcrowded.
Print ISSN:
0829-318X
Electronic ISSN:
1758-4469
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
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