Changes in wood biomass and crop yields in response to projected CO2, O3, nitrogen deposition, and climate

Though carbon dioxide (CO2) fertilization and, to a lesser extent, nitrogen (N) deposition are expected to increase future resource production, changes in ozone (O-3) and climate have the potential to decrease production due to increased phytotoxic damage, drought, and heat stress. To determine how crop and timber production may change in the future, we use the Community Land Model version 4.5 with prognostic crops to simulate responses of wood biomass and crop yields to CO2, O-3, N deposition, and climate under Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 forcings.

Generally, rising CO2 increases wood biomass and crop yields, while projected climate change causes decreases. Small projected changes in O-3 and N deposition do not strongly affect yields, though additional research is needed on future O-3 and N deposition trends and impacts. By the end of the 21st century, global wood biomass increases by similar to 16% due to the dominating impact of CO2.