Canopy development of a model herbaceous community exposed to elevated atmospheric CO2and soil nutrients

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Abstract
To test the prediction that elevated CO2 increases the maxi-made near the time of maximum LAI indicated that soil mum leaf area index (LAI) through a stimulation of photosyn-nutrient availability, but not CO2 enrichment, caused a sub-stantial stimulation of net ecosystem carbon exchange. These levels of CO2 crossed with two levels of soil fertility. Elevated data do not support our prediction of a higher maximum LAI by elevated CO2 because the initial stimulation of LAI dimin-ished by the end of the growth period. However, early in but it had no effect on the maximum LAI. In contrast to CO2, development, leaf area and carbon assimilation of communi-increased soil nutrient availability caused a substantial in-ties may have been greatly enhanced. These results suggest crease in maximum LAI. Elevated CO2 caused a slight in-that the rate of canopy development in annual communities may be accelerated with future increases in atmospheric CO2