Leaves and the Effects of Elevated Carbon Dioxide Levels

Since the onset of the Industrial Revolution, the use of fossil fuel and the clearing of land have led to a dramatic rise in the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. This increase has significant implications for green plants because CO2 is the prime input to photosynthesis. Leaves are the first point of contact for the majority of carbon transfer from atmosphere to biosphere. This capture of carbon by leaves enables the growth of plants, which play a vital role in maintaining the environment and form the base of agriculture. Humans and other organisms depend on this thin layer of leaves for food. Leaves collect highly dilute CO2 from the atmosphere and concentrate and transform it into organic compounds. These compounds ultimately combine to form useful products (food and fiber). Leaf litter decomposition (by microbes) is a key process in agroecosystems through its role in carbon and nutrient cycling and storage. Leaves and their functions are pivotal in agroecosystems (and are sensitive to environmental change, especially rising CO2); this article provides a short overview.