Determining how changes in atmospheric CO₂ concentrations and climate affects growth of species is helpful for understanding plant community species shift in response to future environmental changes. In the present study, fir (Abies faxoniana) and native herbs from treeline ecotone of east Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (altitude: 3230–3300 m) were exposed to ambient CO₂ or ambient +350 μmol·mol⁻¹ CO₂ concentration in combination with ambient or ambient +2°C air temperature for two years in enclosedtop chambers. The results showed that elevated CO₂ , elevated temperature and the combination of elevated CO₂ and temperature increased biomass, height and diameter of fir compared to the control. Elevated CO₂ decreased biomass of Deyeuxia scabrescens, but increased for Fragaria orientalis and Cardamine tangutorum. Except for Fragaria orientalis, herbaceous biomass decreased by elevated temperature. The combination stimulated growth of Fragaria orientalis and Cardamine tangutorum, but suppressed for Deyeuxia scabrescens and Carex kansuensis. The results also demonstrated that elevated CO₂ and temperature increased the crown size and altered the morphology of fir, with benefits for resource capture, and did not affect growth of herbs. Larger root to shoot ratio of fir contributed the enhancement of biomass, while negatively influencing the growth of some herbs. This indicates morphological changes of trees may modify their growth responses and species around them to environmental changes. The different effects of elevated CO₂ and temperature on the growth of species in treeline ecotone suggest that climate change may alter community composition and structure.
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