Earth's Rising Atmospheric Co2 Concentration: Impacts on the Biosphere

Abstract

Concern has been expressed over the potential climatic and biological consequences of Earth's rising atmospheric CO2 concentration, which is expected to double above pre-industrial values sometime this century. This paper reviews several of the biological consequences that are likely to result, including enhanced plant photosynthesis and growth, an increase in plant water use efficiency, and the potential for atmospheric CO2 to reduce the growth-retarding effects of several environmental stresses. Implications of these phenomena are also briefly discussed, including the potential for atmospheric CO2 enrichment to enhance ecosystem biodiversity and carbon sequestration.