Abstract:

In the process of changing global climate, the increased carbon dioxide concentration and stimulated temperature are main focus. Carbon dioxide concentration and temperature are two key factors which can affect the growth and development of woody plants. At present, a lot of research has been carried out on the specific responses of woody plants to increased carbon dioxide concentration or stimulated temperature. At the same time, reviews of this research were publicized widely. However, reviews on the responses of woody plants to the interaction between carbon dioxide concentration and temperature were limited. In order to give some advice of use to the forestry industry, this paper reviewed how different woody plants responded to the interactions between carbon dioxide concentration and temperature. Increasing carbon dioxide concentration and temperature significantly affected photosynthesis, respiration, growth and development, biomass, and productivity. Moreover, the interactions between carbon dioxide concentration and temperature have significant effects on woody plants growth and development. In the process of photosynthesis, the main substrate was Rubp and Rubisco catalyze carboxylation and oxidization. Oxidization produces respiration consumption and carboxylation develops carbon fixation. Different plants responded to the interactions differently and individuals of the same species with different provenance did not have the same responses. At the same time, because of differences in photosynthesis of C4 and C3 plants, the exploration of the effects of interactions on C4 plants has a special significance.  Most studies showed that the interactions did stimulate photosynthesis; however, the effects on C4 plants were less than those on C3 plants. The ambiguous conclusions depend on the uncertainty in response mechanisms and different materials and treatments. Another interesting aspect was that under temperature and nutrient extremity, the physiological and chemical processes were influenced and the woody plants’ responses changed a little. Under high temperature, the decrease in percent carbohydrates thus limited respiration and growth. More photosynthetic products with increased carbon dioxide concentration stimulated respiration responses to increased temperature. However, a difference does exist between long-term and short-term respiration. Individual plant development and phenology can describe plant structural and functional changes in growth, maturity and senescence processes. The unequivocal results resulted from the limited methods and lack of sophisticated analysis. Further work is needed to be done. Increased carbon dioxide concentration can promote carboxylation and thus increase carbon fixation, biomass and productivity. Increasing temperature can have similar effects. The interactions between carbon dioxide concentration and temperature can promote the biomass increases and productivity. At the same time, the responses were specific.  Therefore, we suggest for future research and study: 1) strengthen the responses of photosynthesis to the interactions, including mechanisms and responses; 2) strengthen the study on the responses of woody plants to extreme temperature; 3) strengthen the individual development and phenology responses to the interactions and 4) pay more attention to woody plant responses to interactions at the ecosystem level.