Atmospheric CO2 enrichment of alpine treeline conifers

Experimental CO2 enrichment of mature Larix decidua and Pinus uncinata trees and their understory vegetation was used to test the carbon limitation hypothesis of treeline formation at the alpine treeline in Switzerland. Forty plots (each 1.1 m(2)) were established; half of them were exposed to elevated (566 ppm) atmospheric CO2 using a free air CO2 enrichment (FACE) system releasing pure CO2, and the other half were treated as controls at current ambient [CO2]. Reliable and adequate CO2 control was achieved, with 63% and 90% of 1-min averages having a [CO2] within +/-10% and +/-20% of the target value, respectively, which is comparable to previous FACE systems. Both tree species showed higher net photosynthesis, lower stomatal conductance, and increased accumulation of nonstructural carbohydrates in response to CO2 in the first year of treatment. Quite unexpectedly, shoot length increment increased significantly at elevated CO2 (up to 23%) compared with controls in both species. The pure CO2 release technology proved suitable for CO2 enrichment of native trees on this remote mountain slope. Our results suggest an improved C balance and growth of treeline trees in response to elevated CO2. However, it is unclear whether this initial growth stimulation will persist in the longer term.