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Old Dominion University

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Biomass

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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Effects Of 11 Years Of Co2 Enrichment On Root Biomass And Spatial Distribution In A Florida Scrub-Oak Ecosystem, Rachel Eilenfield Schroeder Jul 2011

Effects Of 11 Years Of Co2 Enrichment On Root Biomass And Spatial Distribution In A Florida Scrub-Oak Ecosystem, Rachel Eilenfield Schroeder

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

A Florida (USA) scrub-oak ecosystem was exposed to elevated atmospheric CO2 in open-top chambers from 1996-2007. Minirhizotrons and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) were used to measure fine root (< 2 mm diameter) and coarse root (> 5 mm diameter) biomass, respectively. After 11 years of CO2 enrichment, there was a trend of greater total root biomass under elevated CO2. Fine root biomass exhibited a pattern of recovery and steady state throughout the study, with significant CO2 stimulation observed only after disturbance. Greater root biomass under elevated CO2 during recovery periods could result in greater carbon inputs belowground, alteration of the soil carbon …


Effects Of Elevated Atmospheric Co2 On Root Dynamics, Biomass And Architecture In A Scrub-Oak Ecosystem At Kennedy Space Center, Florida, Daniel Benjamin Stover Apr 2007

Effects Of Elevated Atmospheric Co2 On Root Dynamics, Biomass And Architecture In A Scrub-Oak Ecosystem At Kennedy Space Center, Florida, Daniel Benjamin Stover

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

A major gap in whole-plant ecology lies with our understanding of root system growth, function and distribution. Large belowground structures, in addition to fine roots, are of particular interest because of their role in carbon sequestration. Non-destructive methods, including ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and minirhizotron observation tubes, were used to investigate effects of elevated CO2 on root biomass, dynamics (productivity, mortality, and turnover), root persistence and architecture in a fire dominated scrub-oak ecosystem. Open-top chambers have been exposed to elevated atmospheric CO2 for the past eleven years at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. No significant sustained CO2 treatment effects …