According to the study led by Duke University research team, pine trees grown for 12 years in air which is one and half times richer in carbon dioxide than present levels produce twice as many quality seeds as those growing in normal conditions.
With the carbon dioxide readings expected to be more by mid century, the findings suggests that in future some woody trees could give tough competition to grasses and other herbaceous species that scientists previously found.
“Even if both groups were producing twice as many seeds, if the trees are producing high-quality seeds and the herbaceous species aren’t, then competitively you can get a shift,” said Danielle Way, a Duke post-doctoral researcher.
Source: Duke University
