Elevated CO2 concentration and nitrogen deposit: Effects on deciduous forests - coniferous forests - model ecosystems

A COST project 614 "ICAT"

open-top chamber

model ecosystem with elevated CO2 concentration

There can be no doubt that since the beginning of the industrial revolution CO₂ levels in the air have progressively increased. Unclear is however, the effect higher levels of CO₂ have on the climate i.e. global warming, vegetation. Although an increased CO₂ concentration can have positive effects on plants (tests with agricultural high-yielding plants confirm this) the effects on trees and forest ecosystems are more complex.

The ICAT project (Impacts of Elevated CO₂ Levels and Air Pollutants on Tree Physiology) was an interdisciplinary enterprise. Experiments on the effects of elevated concentration levels of CO₂ and nitrogen deposits on a coniferous/deciduous forest were carried out by natural scientists. Interpreting, implementing and relaying the findings to a wider public in the form of specific strategies has been the task for the social scientists.

Contributors working at the WSL

• J.B. Bucher (Project leader)
• P. Egli
• M.S. Goerg-Günthardt
• W. Landolt
• P. Vollenweider
• P. Bleuler
• D. Tarjan
• M. Lautenschläger

Publications

• The results are published in a book:

• Brunold C., Balsiger P.W., Bucher J.B., Körner C. (Eds.), 2001: Wald und CO₂. Ergebnisse eines ökologischen Modellversuchs. Birmensdorf, Eidgenössische Forschungsanstalt WSL. Bern, Stuttgart, Wien; Verlag Paul Haupt. 224S.

Contact

• Madeleine S. Goerg-Günthardt