Elevated-CO(2) Response of Stomata and Its Dependence on Environmental Factors

Stomata control the flow of gases between plants and the atmosphere. This review is centered on stomatal responses to elevated CO(2) concentration and considers other key environmental factors and underlying mechanisms at multiple levels. First, an outline of general responses in stomatal conductance under elevated CO(2) is presented. Second, stomatal density response, its development, and the trade-off with leaf growth under elevated CO(2) conditions are depicted. Third, the molecular mechanism regulating guard cell movement at elevated CO(2) is suggested. Finally, the interactive effects of elevated CO(2) with other factors critical to stomatal behavior are reviewed. It may be useful to better understand how stomata respond to elevated CO(2) levels while considering other key environmental factors and mechanisms, including molecular mechanism, biochemical processes, and ecophysiological regulation. This understanding may provide profound new insights into how plants cope with climate change.