Poison Ivy Getting Meaner – Forbes.com
In their six-year experiment, Mohan and her colleagues showed that elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide in an intact forest ecosystem increases photosynthesis, water use efficiency, growth and biomass of poison ivy. "This was out in the real world," Mohan said.
Poison ivy plants exposed to elevated C02 levels averaged 149 percent faster growth compared with control plants, Mohan said. "Something we did not expect to happen, but indeed did — the form of the poison they make was more poisonous," she added.
"This is kind of sad news, not only for humans but for forests," Mohan said. "Increased vine abundance inhibits tree regeneration by killing young trees," she added.
Doh, i hope we find a way to reduce the amount of poison ivy around public places. I am very sensible to it, i have to stay alert even on bike path or hicking trails.
anyhow, if you are curious aobut what a poison ivy rash can look like, i have a couple photos that are interesting to watch.
http://blog.eglis.com/index.php/2006/08/01/99-voici-quelque-photos-de-mon-herbe-a-puce