%A Nathan G. Phillips, Thomas N. Buckley and David T. Tissue %T Capacity of Old Trees to Respond to Environmental Change %0 Journal Article %D 2008 %J J Integr Plant Biol %R 10.1111/j.1744-7909.2008.00746.x %P 1355-1364 %V 50 %N 11 %U {https://www.jipb.net/CN/abstract/article_22177.shtml} %8 2008-11-11 %X Atmospheric carbon dioxide ([CO2]) has increased dramatically within the current life spans of long-lived trees and old forests. Consider that a 500-year-old tree in the early 21st century has spent 70% of its life growing under pre-industrial levels of [CO2], which were 30% lower than current levels. Here we address the question of whether old trees have already responded to the rapid rise in [CO2] occurring over the past 150 years. In spite of limited data, aging trees have been shown to possess a substantial capacity for increased net growth after a period of post-maturity growth decline. Observations of renewed growth and physiological function in old trees have, in some instances, coincided with Industrial Age increases in key environmental resources, including [CO2], suggesting the potential for continued growth in old trees as a function of continued global climate change.