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Use of carbon isotope composition in monitoring environmental changes

J.P. Ferrio (Dept. Producció Vegetal i Ciència Forestal, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain)
J. Voltas (Dept. Producció Vegetal i Ciència Forestal, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain)
J.L. Araus (Unitat de Fisiologia Vegetal, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain)

Management of Environmental Quality

ISSN: 1477-7835

Article publication date: 1 March 2003

1458

Abstract

In this work we will discuss the suitability of carbon isotope analysis in plants for the assessment of environmental changes and their effects on crops and natural systems. For C3 species, carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of plant tissues constitutes an integrated record of the miscellaneous climatic and physiological factors that affect carbon assimilation and/or stomatal conductance. Here we present a literature review on the relationship between different environmental parameters and δ13C in both herbaceous plants and trees, including some examples and case studies. We will also consider the applicability of some of these relationships in palaeoecological studies, as well as for the assessment of climate change dynamics and its implications. Major advantages and limitations of this technique are further discussed.

Keywords

Citation

Ferrio, J.P., Voltas, J. and Araus, J.L. (2003), "Use of carbon isotope composition in monitoring environmental changes", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 14 No. 1, pp. 82-98. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777830310460405

Publisher

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MCB UP Ltd

Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited

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