Biomass and toxicity responses of poison ivy ( Toxicodendron radicans ) to elevated atmospheric CO ₂

Abstract

Contact with poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is one of the most widely reported ailments at poison centers in the UnitedStates, and this plant has been introduced throughout the world, where it occurs with other allergenic members of the cashew family (Anacardiaceae). Approximately 80% of humans develop dermatitis upon exposure to the carbon-based active compound, urushiol. It is not known how poison ivy might respond to increasing concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2), but previous work done in controlled growth chambers shows that other vines exhibit large growth enhancement from elevated CO 2. Rising CO2 is potentially responsible for the increased vine abundance that is inhibiting forest regeneration and increasing tree mortality around the world. In this 6-year study at the Duke University Free-Air CO 2 Enrichment experiment, we show that elevated atmospheric CO2 in an intact forest ecosystem increases photosynthesis, water use efficiency, growth, and population biomass of poison ivy. The CO 2 growth stimulation exceeds that of most other woody species. Furthermore, high-CO 2 plants produce a more allergenic form of urushiol. Our results indicate that Toxicodendron taxa will become more abundant and more ''toxic'' in the future, potentially affecting global forest dynamics and human health.global change ͉ forest ecology ͉ Rhus radicans

IL-33/ST2 signaling excites sensory neurons and mediates itch response in a mouse model of poison ivy contact allergy

“…An estimated 50-75% of Americans are sensitized to urushiol (6). Elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide and warming temperatures have increased the biomass of poison ivy and related plants, widened their geographic distribution, and increased plant urushiol content (7). These factors will likely increase allergenicity and result in even larger case numbers of poison ivy ACD in the future (8).…”

BIOMASS AND TOXICITY RESPONSES OF POISON IVY (TOXICODENDRON RADICANS) TO ELEVATED ATMOSPHERIC CO2: REPLY

“…contrast results from a recent experimental study documenting increased growth of poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) in the free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) facility in the Duke Forest, North Carolina (Mohan et al 2006), to an uncontrolled observational study finding decreased abundance of poison ivy in Wisconsin forests between 1959and 2005(Londre´and Schnitzer 2006. Schnitzer et al (2008) accurately point out that controlled field studies may not always emulate long-term responses in uncontrolled ''real world'' forests.…”

Composition and carbon dynamics of forests in northeastern North America in a future, warmer worldThis article is one of a selection of papers from NE Forests 2100: A Synthesis of Climate Change Impacts on Forests of the Northeastern US and Eastern Canada.

“…Finally, the increased abundance of woody vines that has been observed in temperate forests over the last few decades (Myster and Pickett 1992;Dillenburg et al 1995;Allen et al 2007), apparently associated with increases in atmospheric CO 2 (Mohan et al 2006(Mohan et al , 2008, and the related decline in forest regeneration (Myster and Pickett 1992;Dillenburg et al 1995;Laurance et al 2001;Phillips et al 2002) make future forest establishment, composition, and structure even less certain.…”