ARS | Publication request: STABLE ISOTOPE CONSTRAINTS ON NET ECOSYSTEM PRODUCTION UNDER ELEVATED CO2

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: September 15, 2004
Publication Date: March 15, 2005
Citation: Pendall, E.L., King, J.Y., Mosier, A.R., Morgan, J.A., Milchunas, D. 2005. Stable isotope constraints on net ecosystem production under elevated CO2. pp. 182-198. In: L.B. Flanagan, J.R. Ehleringer and D.E. Pataki (eds) Stable isotopes and biosphere-atmospheric interactions: Processes and biological controls. Book Chapter. Elsevier, Inc., San Diego, CA.

Technical Abstract: Stable C isotopes provided a unique method of tracing C movement through individual compenents of a shortgrass steppe ecosystem. Analyses enabled us to assign estimates for C pools and fluxes which were otherwise difficult to measure directly, and therefore allowed us to constrain estimates of net ecosystem production. Based on measurements made in our study on the shortgrass steppe, we found that elevated CO2 stimulated not only plant productivity but also rhizodeposition and decomposition fluxes, thus resulting in no overall differences in net ecosystem production between ambient and elevated CO2 during a moist growing season.