We are testing the effects of elevated CO2 concentrations on the performance of ancient plant lineages such as horsetails (Equisetum). These plants have evolved under naturally high CO2 and where thriving as gigantic wetland plants during the Carboniferous. In our modern vegetation they are tiny and only around in very limited species numbers and abundances. Will these paleozoic plants make a comeback in the high CO₂ future of our planet?

We use different methods to answer this question. For example, we conduct experiments in the NPEC growth facilities of Utrecht University to test Equisetum response to CO₂: https://www.npec.nl/phenotyping-modules/module-3-multi-environment-climate-chamber/ 

Iris de Wolf is working on this question: https://www.uu.nl/medewerkers/IKdeWolf/Onderzoek