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Candidate:
John Landosky
Degree
of: Doctor of Philosophy
Department: Biological Sciences
Title: The Effects of Elevated CO2 on Brassicacae and the Specialist Herbivore, Cabbage White Butterfly Pieris rapae
Date: Friday, July 9, 2004 3:00-5:00 p.m.
1728 Wood Hall
Committee:
Dr. David Karowe, Chair
Dr. Stephen Malcolm
Dr. David Cowan
Dr. Steven Kohler
Abstract:
Atmospheric CO2 concentration is expected to double its current concentration by the end of the 21st century. Elevated CO2 alters plant phenotype, which can have consequences to plants, herbivores, and higher trophic levels. For this dissertation, the effects of elevated CO2 on mustard and collard plants were elevated in the context of other environmental variation. In addition, the effect of elevated CO2 on a natural population of wild radish was evaluated to determine the evolutionary potential of the population to respond to altered patterns of selection under elevated CO2. Finally, the effects of an elevated CO2 diet were evaluated for a crucifer specialist herbivore, the cabbage white butterfly. The results of these studies suggest that elevated CO2 can affect plant and herbivore phenotype and performance, but its effects can be species-specific. Additionally, these studies suggest that elevated CO2 can decrease the ability of a population to respond to natural selection.
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