Global Warming May Lower Grassland Quality

[phantom power]

The findings were the result of combined modeling and experimental exercises that explored the impacts of both warming and rising atmospheric CO2 on the ecology of native Great Plains grasslands. The results supported findings from the group's earlier studies, which indicated that future environmental changes could lead to lower nitrogen concentrations in forage grasses. That condition could negatively affect animal performance, since grazing animals need nitrogen-rich vegetation to facilitate digestion.

(...)

The modeling experiment exercise was designed to test the responses from a new experiment just begun in southern Wyoming, the Prairie Heating and CO2 Enrichment, or PHACE study. The research team has spent two years developing the PHACE study's infrastructure, while the study itself will run for 5 to 10 years.

The scientists tailored an ecosystem model at the PHACE experiment site—based on the earlier experimental results—to help them investigate the effects of changes in climate and atmospheric CO2 in relation to carbon and nitrogen cycling.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070531112847.htm