In:
Global Change Biology, Wiley, Vol. 10, No. 11 ( 2004-11), p. 1899-1908
Abstract:
Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentration is expected to change plant tissue quality with important implications for plant–insect interactions. Taking advantage of canopy access by a crane and long‐term CO 2 enrichment (530 μ mol mol −1 ) of a natural old‐growth forest (web‐free air carbon dioxide enrichment), we studied the responses of a generalist insect herbivore feeding in the canopy of tall trees. We found that relative growth rates (RGR) of gypsy moth ( Lymantria dispar ) were reduced by 30% in larvae fed on high CO 2 ‐exposed Quercus petraea , but increased by 29% when fed on high CO 2 ‐grown Carpinus betulus compared with control trees at ambient CO 2 (370 μ mol mol −1 ). In Fagus sylvatica , there was a nonsignificant trend for reduced RGR under elevated CO 2 . Tree species‐specific changes in starch to nitrogen ratio, water, and the concentrations of proteins, condensed and hydrolyzable tannins in response to elevated CO 2 were identified to correlate with altered RGR of gypsy moth larvae. Our data suggest that rising atmospheric CO 2 will have strong species‐specific effects on leaf chemical composition of canopy trees in natural forests leading to contrasting responses of herbivores such as those reported here. A future change in host tree preference seems likely with far‐ranging consequences for forest community dynamics.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1354-1013
,
1365-2486
DOI:
10.1111/gcb.2004.10.issue-11
DOI:
10.1111/j.1365-2486.2004.00856.x
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2004
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2020313-5
SSG:
12
