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Projected increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration [ CO2] may lead to differential selection and competition between weeds and crops. Yet, the current level of atmospheric [ CO2] already reflects a rapid rise (~25%) from mid-20th century levels. To assess whether this increase could have already resulted in differential selection between weeds and crops, two temporally distinct populations of Avena fatua (wild oat) from the same geographic location, one from the 1960s ( WOold) and one from 2014 ( WOnew), were grown with and without a cultivated oat ( CO) line, Clintland 64 ( Avena sativa) at current and mid-20th century [ CO2] levels (ca 320 and 402 μmol mol−1 respectively). Monocultures of each WO population differed in their response to recent increases in atmospheric [ CO2], with WOnew showing a significantly higher response for all vegetative parameters relative to WOold. Assessment of competitive outcomes indicated that at 315 μmol mol−1 cultivated oat was at a competitive advantage relative to either A. fatua population for leaf area and total above-ground biomass. However, at current levels of CO2, an overall increase in WOnew competitive ability was observed relative to the cultivated oat line. Overall, these differences are consistent with, but not conclusive for, improved evolutionary fitness and increased early competitive ability of A. fatua relative to cultivated oat as a function of the recent increase in atmospheric [ CO2]. While additional empirical studies are needed, these preliminary results indicate that weeds may be adapting rapidly to rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The establishment and spread of invasive plants are often associated with a 'general-purpose genotype', with a corresponding high degree of phenotypic plasticity when introduced to a new environment. Evolutionary potential of invasive species following introduction should also be considered, however, as such changes can facilitate rapid range expansion. In this study, we utilised seed from three geographically distinct mid-Atlantic populations of an invasive species, Microstegium vimineum ( Japanese stiltgrass), to assess whether populations varied in their biomass and reproductive responses to light and nitrogen under neutral glasshouse conditions. To assess evolutionary adaptation, we quantified and correlated the abiotic environment from each collection location with the final biomass and seed production of that population under common glasshouse conditions. For M. vimineum, growth and reproductive responses to a common set of abiotic parameters (e.g. light) under these conditions indicated considerable phenotypic variation between and within populations. Interestingly, the degree of variation of seed production and final biomass among populations in the glasshouse was strongly correlated with growing season length and cumulative degree days recorded near each population location. These latter data indicated that M. vimineum, introduced into this region <100 years ago, may be undergoing adaptive evolution. Although additional populations of M. vimineum need to be examined, this study suggests that local evolutionary adaptation may be occurring rapidly and could, potentially, be an important aspect in the establishment and spread of this invasive species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No data are available on whether rising carbon dioxide concentration [CO2] or increased air temperature can alter the establishment and persistence of common ragweed ( Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. ) within a plant community following soil disturbance. To determine ragweed longevity, we exposed disturbed soil with a common seed bank population to an in situ temperature and [CO2] gradient along an urban–rural transect beginning in early 2002. No other consistent differences in meteorological variables (e. G. Wind speed, humidity, PAR, tropospheric ozone) as a function of urbanization were documented over the course of the study (2002–2005). Above-ground measurements of biomass over this period demonstrated that ragweed along the transect responded to urban induced increases in [CO2]/temperature with peak biomass being observed at this location by the end of 2003. However, by the Fall of 2004, and continuing through 2005, urban ragweed populations had dwindled to a few plants. The temporal decline in ragweed populations was not associated with increased disease, herbivory or auto-allelopathy, but was part of a demographic reduction in the total number of annual plant species observed for the urban location. In a separate experiment, we showed that such a demographic shift is consistent with CO2/temperature induced increases in biomass and litter accumulation, with a subsequent reduction in germination/survival of annual plant species. Overall, these data indicate that [CO2]/temperature differences associated with urbanization may increase initial ragweed productivity and pollen production, but suggest that long-term, multi-year persistence of ragweed in the urban macro-environment may be dependent on other factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cheatgrass ( Bromus tectorum) is a recognized, invasive annual weed of the western United States that reduces fire return times from decades to less than 5 years. To determine the interaction between rising carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) and fuel load, we characterized potential changes in biomass accumulation, C : N ratio and digestibility of three cheatgrass populations from different elevations to recent and near-term projections in atmospheric [CO2]. The experimental CO2 values (270, 320, 370, 420 μmol mol−1) corresponded roughly to the CO2 concentrations that existed at the beginning of the 19th century, that during the 1960s, the current [CO2], and the near-term [CO2] projection for 2020, respectively. From 25 until 87 days after sowing (DAS), aboveground biomass for these different populations increased 1.5–2.7 g per plant for every 10 μmol mol−1 increase above the 270 μmol mol−1 preindustrial baseline. CO2 sensitivity among populations varied with elevational origin with populations from the lowest elevation showing the greatest productivity. Among all populations, the undigestible portion of aboveground plant material (acid detergent fiber ADF, mostly cellulose and lignin) increased with increasing [CO2]. In addition, the ratio of C : N increased with leaf age, with [CO2] and was highest for the lower elevational population. These CO2-induced qualitative changes could, in turn, result in potential decreases in herbivory and decomposition with subsequent effects on the aboveground retention of cheatgrass biomass. Overall, these data suggest that increasing atmospheric [CO2] above preambient levels may have contributed significantly to cheatgrass productivity and fuel load with subsequent effects on fire frequency and intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the impact of climate change on vegetative productivity, we exposed fallow agricultural soil to an in situ temperature and CO2 gradient between urban, suburban and rural areas in 2002. Along the gradient, average daytime CO2 concentration increased by 21% and maximum (daytime) and minimum (nighttime) daily temperatures increased by 1.6 and 3.3°C, respectively in an urban relative to a rural location. Consistent location differences in soil temperature were also ascertained. No other consistent differences in meteorological variables (e.g. wind speed, humidity, PAR, tropospheric ozone) as a function of urbanization were documented. The urban-induced environmental changes that were observed were consistent with most short-term (~50 year) global change scenarios regarding CO2 concentration and air temperature. Productivity, determined as final above-ground biomass, and maximum plant height were positively affected by daytime and soil temperatures as well as enhanced [CO2], increasing 60 and 115% for the suburban and urban sites, respectively, relative to the rural site. While long-term data are needed, these initial results suggest that urban environments may act as a reasonable surrogate for investigating future climatic change in vegetative communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTDespite mounting evidence showing that C4 plants can accumulate more biomass at elevated CO2 partial pressure (p(CO2)), the underlying mechanisms of this response are still largely unclear. In this paper, we review the current state of knowledge regarding the response of C4 plants to elevated p(CO2) and discuss the likely mechanisms. We identify two main routes through which elevated p(CO2) can stimulate the growth of both well-watered and water-stressed C4 plants. First, through enhanced leaf CO2 assimilation rates due to increased intercellular p(CO2). Second, through reduced stomatal conductance and subsequently leaf transpiration rates. Reduced transpiration rates can stimulate leaf CO2 assimilation and growth rates by conserving soil water, improving shoot water relations and increasing leaf temperature. We argue that bundle sheath leakiness, direct CO2 fixation in the bundle sheath or the presence of C3-like photosynthesis in young C4 leaves are unlikely explanations for the high CO2-responsiveness of C4 photosynthesis. The interactions between elevated p(CO2), leaf temperature and shoot water relations on the growth and photosynthesis of C4 plants are identified as key areas needing urgent research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]