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Grasslands won't help buffer climate change as carbon dioxide levels rise
August 09, 2005Because grasslands and forests operate in complex feedback loops with both the atmosphere and soil, understanding how ecosystems respond to global changes in climate and element cycling is critical to predicting the range of global environmental changes-and attendant ecosystem responses-likely to occur. In a new study in the premier open access journal PLoS Biology Jeffrey Dukes, Christopher Field, and colleagues treated grassland plots to every possible combination of current or increased levels of four environmental factors-CO2, temperature, precipitation, and nitrogen influx-to simulate likely regional changes over the next 100 years. The results of their long-term experiment reveal that California grasslands, and ecosystems that respond similarly, are not likely to help buffer the rate of climate change by acting as a carbon "sink"-slowing the rise of CO2 levels by storing more carbon in new growth.
The experiments were part of the Jasper Ridge Global Change Experiment (JRGCE), which started on Stanford's 1,200-acre biological preserve in 1997. Since 1998, this grassland ecosystem has been outfitted with an ecologist's version of a microclimate controller (complete with CO2 pumps, heaters, and irrigation tubing) and subjected to experimentally controlled atmospheric, climatic, and nutrient conditions. (This study examines the experiment's first five years.) To quantify the grassland response to these treatments, the authors estimated net primary production, or NPP (the amount of carbon left over after cellular respiration) by measuring shoot and root growth in 36 circular plots scattered across roughly two acres. The strongest effects on grassland production came from elevated levels of nitrogen (which typically reaches a fertilization limit). Elevated temperature, rainfall, and, surprisingly, CO2, had minimal impacts. These results suggest that increasing concentrations of atmospheric CO2 are not likely to increase growth of the roots and leaves of plants in this grassland. Why not? One possibility involves phosphorus. High levels of CO2 and nitrogen can reduce phosphorus concentrations or limit its uptake in these plants. Ongoing JRGCE experiments are exploring how this and other factors-such as grazing or shifts in seasonal events-might limit the growth effects of CO2.
It's thought that ocean and terrestrial ecosystems have stored nearly half the carbon emissions produced by humans since the industrial revolution. If it turns out that other natural systems also fail to sequester as much carbon as scientists once thought, atmospheric CO2 concentrations will rise even faster than expected-with serious implications for future climate change.
Public Library of Science
Public Library of Science
Grasslands Current Events and Grasslands News RSSTEEB report released on the economics of ecosystems and biodiversity for policy makers
Policy makers who factor the planet's multi-trillion dollar ecosystem services into their national and international investment strategies are likely to see far higher rates of return and stronger economic growth in the 21st century.
New study provides insight on energy development and sage-grouse habitat in the intermountain West
A study released October 14th in the current issue of the peer-reviewed journal PLoS ONE will shed new light on oil and gas development potential in the Intermountain West.
What are coral reef services worth? $130,000 to $1.2 million per hectare, per year: experts
Experts concluding the global DIVERSITAS biodiversity conference today in Cape Town described preliminary research revealing jaw-dropping dollar values of the "ecosystem services" of biomes like forests and coral reefs - including food, pollution treatment and climate regulation.
Early hominid first walked on two legs in the woods
Among the many surprises associated with the discovery of the oldest known, nearly complete skeleton of a hominid is the finding that this species took its first steps toward bipedalism not on the open, grassy savanna, as generations of scientists - going back to Charles Darwin - hypothesized, but in a wooded landscape.
Loss of top predators causing surge in smaller predators, ecosystem collapse
The catastrophic decline around the world of "apex" predators such as wolves, cougars, lions or sharks has led to a huge increase in smaller "mesopredators" that are causing major economic and ecological disruptions, a new study concludes.
Research recommends compromise when choosing conservation site
A lot of variables come into play when selecting a site for environmental conservation that yields benefits to people nearby such as wildlife needs, species and vegetation uniqueness, and costs to the government or community.
Biologists ID molecular basis of high-altitude adaptation in mice
Biologists have long known how adaptive evolution works. New mutations arise within a population and those that confer some benefits to the organism increase in frequency and eventually become fixed in the population.
Wolf reintroduction proposed in Scottish Highland test case
Researchers are proposing in a new report that a major experiment be conducted to reintroduce wolves to a test site in the Scottish Highlands, to help control the populations and behavior of red deer that in the past 250 years have changed the whole nature of large ecosystems.
In the warming West, climate most significant factor in fanning wildfires' flames
The recent increase in area burned by wildfires in the Western United States is a product not of higher temperatures or longer fire seasons alone, but a complex relationship between climate and fuels that varies among different ecosystems.
NASA uses satellite to unearth innovation in crop forecasting
Soil moisture is essential for seeds to germinate and for crops to grow. But record droughts and scorching temperatures in certain parts of the globe in recent years have caused soil to dry up, crippling crop production.
More Grasslands Current Events and Grasslands News Articles
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Explore the Grasslands (Explore the Biomes series) by Kay Jackson (Author) Discusses the plants, animals, and characteristics of the grasslands biome. |
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Grassland: The History, Biology, Politics and Promise of the American Prairie by Richard Manning (Author) More than forty percent of America was once open prairie, grassland that extended from Missouri to Montana. Taking a critical look at this little understood biome, award-winning journalist Richard Manning urges the reclamation of the land, showing how the grass is not only our last connection to the natural world, but a vital link to our own prehistoric roots, our history, and our culture. |
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Grasses and Grassland Ecology (Oxford Biology) by David J. Gibson (Author) Grasslands, in particular managed pastures and rangelands, are widespread, covering approximately 40% (52 million km2) of the Earth's land surface. They are dominated by members of the Poaceae - the fourth largest plant family with over 7,500 species, and also the most widespread. Grasslands constitute a major biome on all continents except Antarctica and also represent the most important food crop on Earth with corn, wheat, maize, rice and millet accounting for the majority of our agricultural output. Grasses and Grassland Ecology provides an ecologically orientated introduction to this influential group of plants, summarizing the most recent scientific research in ecology and agriculture in the context of the older, classic literature. Ten chapters cover the morphology, anatomy,... |
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Grasslands (Audubon Society Nature Guides) by Lauren Brown (Author) A comprehensive field guide, fully illustrated with color photographs, to the trees, wildflowers, grasses, insects, birds, and other natural wonders of North America's prairies, fields, and meadows. |
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Grasslands (True Books-Ecosystems) by Darlene R. Stille (Author) Examines the different types of grasslands and the plant and animal life they support. |
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Grasslands by Debra Seely (Author) When a letter arrives from Thomas Hunter’s father inviting him to join his new family on their Kansas farm, Thomas can already see himself riding across the prairie like a real cowboy, away from his wealthy grandparents in Virginia. But the hardscrabble life on the farm is a lot tougher than Thomas expected. Just as he begins to grow restless, his family’s herd gets swept up in a cattle stampede and he must follow a group of cowboys to reclaim it. Finally he’s got the prairie adventure he’s dreamed of. But does he have the courage to see it through? |
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The National Grasslands: A Guide to America's Undiscovered Treasures by Francis Moul (Author), Georg Joutras (Photographer) The four million windswept acres of wildflowers and grass in the twenty national grasslands in the United States are scattered across a region extending from the Pacific Ocean to the eastern edge of North Dakota. Although all were once seas of grass teeming with wildlife, they now exhibit striking differences, and range from a small lake recreation area in Texas to the enormous Little Missouri National Grasslands in North Dakota. An essential guide to the American grasslands and the Grasslands National Park of Canada, The National Grasslands presents a history of the region, that traces the establishment of the national grasslands as an important part of the New Deal’s social revolution. The guide also provides a concise summary of the debates surrounding preservation and use, with... |
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Fisher-Price Little People Grassland Animals by Fisher-Price Little People Grassland Animals for toddlers and preschoolers. Your child's natural fascination with animals will come to life with this adorable trio. A perfect addition to the Surprise Sounds Zoo or the Polar Animals Set (not included) or fun to play with alone. Each animal is approximately 3 x 3 inches. |
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Grasslands Road Vineyards "May Peace and Love Fill This Home" Plaque with Stand by Grasslands Road "May Peace and love fill this home." A perfect gift for a house warming or to add to your own home. The hand applied grape and vine motif add wamth and texture. Hook in back for hanging on wall. Metal stand included. |
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Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association by New Zealand Grassland Assn |
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