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Influence of warming on soil water potential controls seedling mortality in perennial but not annual species in a temperate grassland

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 22:56 authored by Mark HovendenMark Hovenden, Newton, PCD, Karen WillsKaren Wills, Janes, J, Williams, AL, Jacqueline Vander SchoorJacqueline Vander Schoor, Nolan, M
• In a water-limited system, the following hypotheses are proposed: warming will increase seedling mortality; elevated atmospheric CO2 will reduce seedling mortality by reducing transpiration, thereby increasing soil water availability; and longevity (i.e. whether a species is annual or perennial) will affect the response of a species to global changes. • Here, these three hypotheses are tested by assessing the impact of elevated CO2 (550 µmol mol−1) and warming (+2°C) on seedling emergence, survivorship and establishment in an Australian temperate grassland from autumn 2004 to autumn 2007. • Warming impacts on seedling survivorship were dependent upon species longevity. Warming reduced seedling survivorship of perennials through its effects on soil water potential but the seedling survivorship of annuals was reduced to a greater extent than could be accounted for by treatment effects on soil water potential. Elevated CO2 did not significantly affect seedling survivorship in annuals or perennials. • These results show that warming will alter recruitment of perennial species by changing soil water potential but will reduce recruitment of annual species independent of any effects on soil moisture. The results also show that exposure to elevated CO2 does not make seedlings more resistant to dry soils.

History

Publication title

New Phytologist

Volume

180

Pagination

143-152

ISSN

0028-646X

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Place of publication

UK

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Climate change adaptation measures (excl. ecosystem)