Response of root respiration to changes in temperature and its relevance to global warming

Abstract

Global warming over the next century is likely to be associated with a change in the extent to which atmospheric and soil temperatures fluctuate, on both a daily and a seasonal basis. The average annual temperature of the Earth's surface is expected to increase, as is the frequency of hot days. In this review, we explore what effects short-term and long-term changes in temperature are likely to have on root respiratory metabolism, and what impacts such changes will have on daily, seasonal and annual CO₂ release by roots under field conditions. We demonstrate that Q₁₀ values, and the degree of acclimation, differ between and within plant species. Changes in the temperature sensitivity of respiration with measuring temperature are highlighted. Temperature-dependent changes in adenylate control and substrate supply are likely to control the Q₁₀ and degree of acclimation of root respiration. Limitations in respiration capacity are unlikely to control respiratory flux at most temperatures. The potential role of nonphosphorylating pathways such as the alternative oxidase in controlling Q₁₀ values is highlighted. The possibility that potentially rapid changes in adenylate control might underlie the acclimation response (rather than slow changes in enzyme capacity) has implications for the total amount of CO₂ respired by roots daily and annually. Our modelling suggests that rapid acclimation will result in near-perfect homeostasis of respiration rates and minimize annual CO₂ release. However, annual CO₂ release increases substantially if the speed of full acclimation is lower. Our modelling exercise also shows that high Q₁₀ values have the potential to increase daily and annual CO₂ release substantially, particularly if the frequency of hot days increases after global warming.