Atmospheric CO2 enrichment markedly increases photosynthesis and growth in a woody tropical bamboo from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Bamboo is one of the most easily available resources found in forests. Due to their long periods of vegetative growth and rapid biomass gains, bamboo species could show a significant potential for responding to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an increased CO2 concentration on selected physiological and biochemical parameters of the bamboo Aulonemia aristulata. After 7 weeks, plants grown under an elevated CO2 concentration showed an increase of 77% in photosynthesis, 56% in tillering, 104% in leaf area, 92% in height and 91% in total biomass. These plants also had a lower stomatal conductance (-40%) and higher water use efficiency (62%). Physiological responses such as adjustment in the photosynthetic rates, carbon gain and water relations shown by A. aristulata in response to increased CO2 concentration could promote a higher dominance of this bamboo species in a global change scenario. This dominance could affect the species composition, structure and function of tropical forests.