What was done
The authors established mini-FACE plots in bog environments supporting both Sphagnum (non-vascular) and vascular plant species.  For three growing seasons, plots received atmospheric CO2 concentrations of 360 and 560 ppm to study the effects of elevated CO2 on species growth and competition within these nutrient-poor environments.

What was learned
In contrast to other Sphagnum studies featured on our website, the authors found no significant effects of atmospheric CO2 enrichment on Sphagnum biomass production.  Similarly, the authors reported no significant CO2-induced effects on the growth of co-occurring vascular plants in these bog ecosystems.

What it means
Data from this study suggest that elevated CO2 will have limited effects on vegetative growth in nutrient-poor bog ecosystems.  Nonetheless, several other studies suggest that as the CO2 content of the air rises, plants in such ecosystems will respond positively by increasing their rates of photosynthesis and biomass production.  Thus, carbon sequestration in boggy soils should at least be maintained, if not increased, by future increases in the air's CO2 concentration.