OzFace Flashcards
For What the FACE system works?
They are experiments to find out what will happen to vegetation exposed to CO2 concentrations that will be around in 50-100 years.
What did the OzFace project wanted to find?
Quantify the impacts of increasing CO2 on vegetation in an Australian savanna (system and physiological levels)
Provide estimates to support policy and land managing decisions in Australia
How the project of OzFace was done?
rings divided in 3 sections fertilised, clipped (cows) and control. Each of this rings was exposed to high levels of CO2 (1.5-2 tonnes) It had in the center It has a CO2 sensor and an anometer to now the winds direction so the correct set of wholes releases de CO2.
What did the plants did when they increased in Numbers ?
During the the paleozoic plants increased in number an the O2 increased highly while the CO2 decreased with this the climate change so plants changed the climate.
What is CO2 to the plants?
It is a fertiliser because more CO2 the plants grow more and they beber get saturated with CO2 and also at high CO2 the plants close stomata and less water is lost in plants .
What type of skills where needed for the OzFace project ?
Biology (understand Oz granting system, track record, writing and speaking skills)
CSIRO( good connections, trustworthy collaborators, negotiation skills, lawyers)
BHP ( learning about BHP structures , negotiation skills , attitudes of hierarchies)
JCU hierarchy ( grantmanagement, understanding power structure)
Management ( time management , personnel management , accounting , report writing)
Construction ( understanding tenders, engineering skills, contracts)
Public ( journalist, media , public speaking)
Results of plant productivity
First year= plants took all the nitrogen and the plants grow Second year (driest year) = many plants die. Next three years= 35% of increase in biomass, themeda trianda dominates to be the one that grow the most, depending of the species the response was different.
Results of nutrients and soil
After 4 years nitrogen increased more than CO2.
Less protein in leafs ( cattle have less protein = eats more plants )
Results of soil moisture
Soil moisture increased in high CO2 due to the fact that plants could absorbe less water because their stomata closed due to the CO2.
Yet grazing might affect the potential for water fluxes from the soil.
Selective defoliation reduced the influence of CO2
Fertilisation reduces the retention of CO2
Conclusions of project
CO2 affects tropical savanna structure and function.
It changed the productivity of tropical grass.
Production and digestability of plants
What is a FACE system?
Free-Air CO2 Facility
