Acclimation mechanisms to elevated CO₂ in plants

The plant metabolism is altered with increasing of CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere. Initially the photosynthetic rate increases by the greater CO₂ available, after some time there is some adaptations in order to return to the initial equilibrium, characterizing acclimation. The objective of this review was to describe the acclimation mechanisms in plants to elevated CO₂concentration. In the short term, enzymes and other important substances for photosynthesis are scarce by accelerated metabolism. In addition, excess starch of high photosynthetic rate, accumulated within chloroplasts can impair photosynthesis. A longer period there is a decrease in productive advantage on high CO₂ environment and biomass distribution that favors vegetative parts. Acclimation in the long term is related to the plant ability to increase its storage compartments.

photosynthesis; climate change; adaptation.