Does photosynthesis adjust to increased CO2 levels?
Since there is a small increase in CO2 levels
in recent times, why don't the forests of the world grow faster to compensate for this? |
Does photosynthesis adjust to increased CO2 levels?
In message , Peter Jason
writes Since there is a small increase in CO2 levels in recent times, why don't the forests of the world grow faster to compensate for this? For small increases in C02 levels, and everything else being equal, they do. But in the same way as increased dissolution in the ocean, this only reduces the rate of increase. If anthropogenic emissions were constant CO2 levels would equilibriate at a higher level. However, increased evaporation and transpiration may conspire to decrease photosynthesis, by placing the plants under physiological stress. For example, I read that, in the European drought of last summer plants were a net source of CO2, not a sink. -- Stewart Robert Hinsley |
Does photosynthesis adjust to increased CO2 levels?
In article , Stewart Robert Hinsley wrote:
In message , Peter Jason writes Since there is a small increase in CO2 levels in recent times, why don't the forests of the world grow faster to compensate for this? For small increases in C02 levels, and everything else being equal, they do. But in the same way as increased dissolution in the ocean, this only reduces the rate of increase. If anthropogenic emissions were constant CO2 levels would equilibriate at a higher level. However, increased evaporation and transpiration may conspire to decrease photosynthesis, by placing the plants under physiological stress. For example, I read that, in the European drought of last summer plants were a net source of CO2, not a sink. And when plants drown in a flood they release all sorts of nasties too... Ya just can't win! Cheers, Phred. -- LID |
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