Multi-year study on the effects of elevated CO2 in mature oaks unravels subtle metabolic adjustments but stable biotic stress resistance

O_LIRising atmospheric CO2 levels are predicted to influence forest health directly and indirectly, yet the long-term effects of elevated CO2 (eCO2) on mature trees in natural ecosystems remain poorly understood. Understanding how eCO2 affects susceptibility to biotic stress and alters leaf metabolism is critical for predicting forest responses to climate change. C_LIO_LIWe examined the effects of eCO2 (+150 ppm) on 180-year-old Quercus robur at the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) facility. From 2016 (pre-treatment) to 2024 (year 8 of enrichment), we monitored natural powdery mildew infection and insect herbivory, alongside targeted and untargeted metabolomic profiling of leaf material collected across the growing season. C_LIO_LIWhile seasonal patterns and an overall decline in PM and herbivory were observed, no consistent differences in biotic stress incidence emerged due to eCO2. Metabolomic data revealed subtle but widespread shifts, especially in amino acid, CoenzymeA, and redox pathways. C_LIO_LIThese results suggest that although eCO2 drives extensive metabolic changes, it does not alter biotic stress resistance in mature oaks. Instead, eCO2 appears to promote physiological plasticity that may shape future responses to combined environmental stressors. These insights offer a valuable reference point for interpreting long-term ecosystem dynamics. C_LI