Elevated Carbon Dioxide

This book explores the significant impacts of rising CO2 levels on soil and plant water relations, focusing on various crops and conditions. Elevated Carbon Dioxide offers extensive research findings.

Between 1958 and 2008, atmospheric CO2 levels rose from 316 to 385 ppm, and this trend poses significant long-term implications for climate change and agricultural productivity. Elevated Carbon Dioxide: Impacts on Soil and Plant Water Relations addresses this pressing issue through comprehensive research on field-grown sorghum, winter wheat, and rangeland plants exposed to elevated CO2 conditions. The book details findings from innovative experiments conducted over a seven-year period at the Evapotranspiration Laboratory at Kansas State University, supplemented by peer-reviewed articles that further validate the research.

Each chapter provides a thorough examination of various studies, highlighting the common and scientific names of the plants investigated. The author meticulously documents the types of soil used in experiments and the overall conditions, allowing readers to trace back to the original sources for deeper understanding. This careful curation of information makes Elevated Carbon Dioxide an invaluable resource for researchers and students alike.

The initial chapter introduces critical topics such as drought, photosynthesis types, and the movement of water through the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum. Subsequent chapters delve into the soil atmosphere's composition and how elevated CO2 interacts with physical factors affecting root growth. The author also explores carbon isotope ratios, plant water potentials, and the influence of elevated CO2 on transpiration and evapotranspiration, providing a comprehensive view of the subject matter.