For years now, many have worried about the effects of carbon dioxide on our environment. Studies have already revealed details about how C02 will affect grasslands in particular.
The research was conducted on a variety of plants growing in grasslands, over a period of many years. The results are more than a bit surprising.
The Research
The initial research was published in Science Magazine on April 19th, beginning with a premise that two main types of plants exist. There are those plants which use photosynthesis to feed themselves, and those that use the two-step process to produce their energy.
The point of study was to figure out whether these plants will react to an increase of C02 in the soil and air; since C02 is integral to the photosynthesis process. It seems that the research widely disproves what was believed for years.
The Plants Can Take It
More C02 in the air and soil of the grasslands is not likely to change much in terms of growth and how much they produce. These plants have evolved in hot and humid environments, allowing them to withstand such a change. In fact, should this happen, the grasslands will start pulling more C02 from the air, as their capacities for photosynthesis will increase as well. This means that the level of C02 in the air and soil is not a reliable way to predict how fruitful an area is.
How Was It Done?
The key to achieving these results was to conduct research over a long period of time, so that the data could follow the changes of C02 emission in nature itself. Research began in 1997, across 88 open-air plots have land near Minneapolis. The research was first done with C02 in the air as is, which was then raised artificially by pumping C02 to some of the plants and not others, to see how they would react in contrast to the control group.
What Happened?
Initially, it seemed that the levels of C02 had little impact on the difference between plants. This was a surprise in and of itself, as it was thought that plants with higher levels of C02 would grow poorly. The difference began after twelve years, when the plants with more C02 started to outperform those with less of it.
While the cause of this is still unclear, it is noted that the level of nitrogen rose as well.
Implications
Plants currently growing absorb around one third of the C02 that is emitted into the atmosphere. This means that plants play a huge role in the planetary ecosystem, and how much C02 they can take is crucial to maintaining our ecosystems as the climate grows warmer.
The key part of this biodiversity is not the grasslands, but the trees and forests across the globe. The next phase of research will focus on them, as their overall impact is greater. If the same results can also apply to forests, the implication will be an encouraging one for our future.
The plants currently planted absorb around one third of CO2 emitted in the atmosphere. This means that plants play a huge role in the planetary ecosystem, and how much CO2 they can take is crucial to maintaining ecosystems when the climate becomes warmer. The key part of this bio diversity aren’t grasslands, but rather the trees and forests across the globe. The next phase of research should focus on them, as their survival will have the greatest impact on our planet. If these results also apply to forests, the implications for our future are certainly positive.
Where Next?
Climate change is a global issue, so its research should be global in scope. Similar experiments must be done around the world to get a better feel for the validity of the results. Research is set to move to the UK, Australia and Brazil in the near future.
Conclusion
The latest research concerning C02 and its effect on plant life and grasslands brought about some unexpected results. Surprisingly, the effects were positive, allowing plants to adapt and become more prosperous.