Leaf conductance decreased under free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) for three perennials in the Nevada desert

Authors

Robert S. Nowak, University of Nevada, RenoFollow
Lesley A. DeFalco, University of Nevada, RenoFollow
Carolyn S. Wilcox, University of Nevada, Reno
Dean N. Jordan, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
James S. Coleman, Desert Research Institute
S. D. Smith, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Jeffrey R. Seemann, University of Nevada, RenoFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2001

Publication Title

New Phytologist

Volume

150

Issue

2

First page number:

449

Last page number:

458

Abstract

• A common response of plants to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration (CO2) is decreased leaf conductance. Consequently, leaf temperature is predicted to increase under elevated CO2. • Diurnal patterns of leaf conductance and temperature were measured for three desert perennials, the C3 shrub Larrea tridentata, C3 tussock grass Achnatherum hymenoides and C4 tussock grass Pleuraphis rigida, at the Nevada Desert FACE facility. Measurements were made on ambient and c. 550 µmol mol−1 CO2 plots through both a wet and dry year. • Reductions in conductance were 35%, 20% and 13% for Pleuraphis, Achnatherum and Larrea, respectively. Decreased conductance occurred throughout the day only for Pleuraphis. Both C3 species had smaller CO2 effects during dry periods than wet. Leaf temperature did not differ significantly between elevated and ambient CO2 for any species. Comparisons of blower-control and nonring plots indicated that the FACE apparatus did not confound our results. • All three species exhibited decreased leaf conductance under elevated CO2, although reductions were not uniform during the day or among years. Nonetheless, leaf energy balance was only minimally changed for these microphyllous desert perennials.

Keywords

Achnatherum hymenoides (indian ricegrass); Desert perennials; Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration; Free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE); Larrea tridentata (creosote bush); Leaf conductance; Leaf temperature; Pleuraphis rigida (big galleta grass); Tussock grasses

Disciplines

Desert Ecology | Plant Biology

Language

English

Publisher Citation

Nowak, R. S., DeFalco, L. A., Wilcox, C. S., Jordan, D. N., Coleman, J. S., Seemann, J. R. and Smith, S. D. (2001), Leaf conductance decreased under free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) for three perennials in the Nevada desert. New Phytologist, 150: 449–458. doi: 10.1046/j.1469-8137.2001.00102.x

Repository Citation

Nowak, R. S., DeFalco, L. A., Wilcox, C. S., Jordan, D. N., Coleman, J. S., Smith, S. D., Seemann, J. R. (2001). Leaf conductance decreased under free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) for three perennials in the Nevada desert. New Phytologist, 150(2), 449-458.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-8137.2001.00102.x