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We explore the use of active volcanoes to determine the short- and long-term effects of elevated CO2 on tropical trees. Active volcanoes continuously but variably emit CO2 through diffuse emissions on their flanks, exposing the overlying ecosystems to elevated levels of atmospheric CO2. We found tight correlations (r2=0.86 and r2=0.74) between wood stable carbon isotopic composition and co-located volcanogenic CO2 emissions for two of three investigated species (Oreopanax xalapensis and Buddleja nitida), which documents the long-term photosynthetic incorporation of isotopically heavy volcanogenic carbon into wood biomass. Measurements of leaf fluorescence and chlorophyll concentration suggest that volcanic CO2 also has measurable short-term functional impacts on select species of tropical trees. Our findings indicate significant potential for future studies to utilize ecosystems located on active volcanoes as natural experiments to examine the ecological impacts of elevated atmospheric CO2 in the tropics and elsewhere. Results also point the way toward a possible future utilization of ecosystems exposed to volcanically elevated CO2 to detect changes in deep volcanic degassing by using selected species of trees as sensors.

We explore the use of active volcanoes to determine the short- and long-term effects of elevated CO2 on tropical trees. Active volcanoes continuously but variably emit CO2 through diffuse emissions on their flanks, exposing the overlying ecosystems to elevated levels of atmospheric CO2. We found tight correlations (r2 = 0.86 and r2 = 0.74) between wood stable carbon isotopic composition and co-located volcanogenic CO2 emissions for two species, which documents the long-term photosynthetic incorporation of isotopically heavy volcanogenic carbon into wood biomass. Measurements of leaf fluorescence and chlorophyll concentration suggest that volcanic CO2 also has measurable short-term functional impacts on select species of tropical trees. Our findings indicate significant potential for future studies to utilize ecosystems located on active volcanoes as natural experiments to examine the ecological impacts of elevated atmospheric CO2 in the tropics and elsewhere. Results also point the way toward a possible future utilization of ecosystems exposed to volcanically elevated CO2 to detect changes in deep volcanic degassing by using selected species of trees as sensors.

OVSICORI La incandescencia en los volcanes es tal vez uno de los elementos más visuales y llamativos a larga distancia. Observada en las noches o con un horizonte oscuro la luminosidad que desprenden los materiales y gases calientes puede ser engañosa. No siempre es magma juvenil. Por el contrario las diversas intensidades de los colores que desprenden los materiales y gases calientes tienen diversos orígenes y explicaciones variadas. Este documento pretende ilustrar de modo abreviado la incandescencia que se ha observado en años recientes en la cima del volcán Turrialba y su contexto con otros volcanes del país desde las paredes internas. The incandescence in volcanoes is perhaps one of the most visual and striking elements at long distances. Observed at night or with a dark horizon, the luminosity given off by hot materials and gases can be misleading. It is not always juvenile magma. On the contrary, the different intensities of the colors that the hot materials and gases give off have different origins and varied explanations. This document aims to briefly illustrate the incandescence that has been observed in recent years at the top of the Turrialba volcano and its context with volcanoes in the country from the internal walls. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica

OVSICORI Este informe resume observaciones hechas en el flanco bajo e intermedio del volcán Turrialba, el 6 de setiembre de 2016. This report summarizes observations made on the lower and intermediate flank of the Turrialba volcano, on September 6, 2016. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica

OVISCORI Se realizó una visita al cráter central del volcán Turrialba con el objetivo de documentar el efecto de relleno en la depresión cratérica y sus alrededores. Este informe muestra de modo ascendente los sitios representativos con la acumulación de materiales mixtos; por caída y por erosión. A visit was made to the central crater of the Turrialba volcano in order to document the filling effect in the crater depression and its surroundings. This report shows in ascending order the representative sites with the accumulation of mixed materials; by fall and by erosion. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica

OVSICORI Se realizó una visita a diversos puntos de la caldera del volcán Turrialba, con objetivos múltiples. Las tareas se dedicaron a la documentación de cambios físicos en la cima y alrededores debido a las erupciones de mayo. Este informe se refiere a cambios registrados en un recorrido de 360 ​​grados alrededor del cráter activo; en el sentido inverso a las manecillas del reloj (paradas 1 a 9). A visit was made to various points of the Turrialba volcano caldera, with multiple objectives. The tasks were devoted to documenting physical changes in and around the summit due to the May eruptions. This report refers to changes recorded in a 360-degree tour around the active crater; counterclockwise (stops 1 to 9). Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica

OVSICORI Se presenta aquí un informe breve de campo basado en la visita al sur y suroeste de la cima del volcán Turrialba, el 7 de setiembre de 2016. A brief field report is presented here based on the visit to the south and southwest of the top of the Turrialba volcano, on September 7, 2016. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica

OVSICORI Se realizó una visita a la cuenca de Quebrada Paredes el 14 de enero de 2016 con varios propósitos. Este informe detalla aspectos físicos del cauce y sus alrededores, así como descarta elementos considerados en el pasado como relacionados a la actividad volcánica de la cima. A visit to the Quebrada Paredes basin was made on January 14, 2016 for various purposes. This report details the physical aspects of the channel and its surroundings, as well as discards elements considered in the past as related to the volcanic activity of the summit. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica

OVSICORI Con el fin de ampliar la documentación de procesos, al oeste de la cima en el volcán Irazú, se realizó trabajo de campo el lunes 8 de febrero de 2016. Este informe se refiere a cambios registrados a poco más de un año, aunque observaciones anteriores se incluirán para fines comparativos. In order to expand the documentation of processes, to the west of the summit in the Irazú volcano, field work was carried out on Monday, February 8, 2016. This report refers to changes registered just over a year, although previous observations will be included for comparative purposes. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica

OVSICORI Se realizó una documentación de los depósitos de ceniza al sur y sureste del cráter activo del volcán Turrialba con trabajo de campo del 4 de mayo de los corrientes. Tales cambios están relacionados con la actividad eruptiva ocurrida en los 4 días previos a la visita. A documentation of the ash deposits to the south and southeast of the active crater of the Turrialba volcano was carried out with field work from May 4 of the currents. Such changes are related to the eruptive activity that occurred in the 4 days prior to the visit. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica

OVSICORI Entre el 10 y el 11 de marzo de 2016 se visitó la cima del volcán Rincón de la Vieja con el fin de mapear “in Situ” el efecto y características generales de los depósitos de materiales expulsados por erupciones freáticas recientes. Este informe reúne observaciones relacionadas con una o más erupciones freáticas recientes; en modo cronológico de acuerdo con el recorrido de la expedición. Between March 10 and 11, 2016, the summit of the Rincón de la Vieja volcano was visited in order to map “in situ” the effect and general characteristics of the deposits of materials expelled by recent phreatic eruptions. This report gathers observations related to one or more recent phreatic eruptions; in chronological mode according to the route of the expedition. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica

OVSICORI Entre el 3 y el 4 de noviembre de 2015 se visitó el volcán Turrialba con el fin de documentar la acumulación de materiales derivados de las erupciones ocurridas entre el 27 y el 31 de octubre. Se pudo reconocer materiales frescos que afectaron la cima, zonas intermedias del edificio volcánico así como áreas ubicadas a distancias entre 3 y 4 kms del punto de emisión; a lo largo del camino entre La Central y La Picada. Between November 3 and 4, 2015, the Turrialba volcano was visited in order to document the accumulation of materials derived from the eruptions that occurred between October 27 and 31. It was possible to recognize fresh materials that affected the top, intermediate zones of the volcanic building as well as areas located at distances between 3 and 4 kms from the emission point; along the road between La Central and La Picada. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica

OVSICORI Durante la visita al volcán Poás, el 21 de julio de 2015, se realizaron algunas observaciones principalmente en el sector oeste del domo en sus secciones superior e inferior. During the visit to the Poás volcano, on July 21, 2015, some observations were made mainly in the western sector of the dome in its upper and lower sections. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica