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Project B1 Interaction of elevated
CO2 and water, temperature, nutrient
and soil stresses on carbon sequestration
Project
Leader: Dr
John Evans (Bio
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Research objectives
- To develop theoretical
understanding of how nitrogen (N) is distributed optimally in plant
canopies and how the scattering of light by the canopy affects this
distribution. Apply these techniques to predict daily/weekly canopy
photosynthesis driven by remote sensing measurements.
- To understand the
interaction between elevated CO2 and
temperature stress on the interaction between resource acquisition,
seedling establishment and growth.
- To understand mechanisms
controlling plant responses to elevated CO2
when nutrients are limiting.
- To understand the
inter-relationship between elevated CO2
and the hydraulic & mechanical components of soil drying on photosynthesis,
growth and water use.
Relevance
The productivity of
ecosystems depends upon the availability of water and nutrients, as well
as the temperature regime. This project aims to to provide experimentally-based
descriptions of some of the key factors affecting ecosystem productivity.
While some of the
results may be of immediate relevance, much of this work is focused on
improving understanding of plant responses to elevated atmospheric CO2
that will inevitably occur over the next decades. These processes are
important, because the carbon cycle will take many decades to respond
to current changes in atmospheric CO2,
and without better understanding of the processes, our ability to predict
outcomes will be of limited value.
Outputs
- An Australian input
to the basic science underlying the response of vegetation (particularly
Australian vegetation) to changing atmospheric and climate conditions.
- Early warning of
potential "surprises" in responses that may affect the effectiveness
of management actions (such as tree replanting) under future atmospheric
and climatic positions.
- An assessment of
the risks of using past and current growth responses to extrapolate
to future responses.
Outcomes
- Maintaining a leading
position for Australian greenhouse science in international forums.
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