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

January 1, 2001
  • 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 C4tussock 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 C3species 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.

Citation Information

Publication Year 2001
Title Leaf conductance decreased under free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) for three perennials in the Nevada desert
DOI 10.1046/j.1469-8137.2001.00102.x
Authors Robert S. Nowak, Lesley A. Defalco, Carolyn S. Wilcox, Dean N. Jordan, James S. Coleman, Jeffrey R. Seemann, Stanley D. Smith
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title New Phytologist
Index ID 70023281
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Western Ecological Research Center