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Greenhouse gas emissions from riparian zones are related to vegetation type and environmental factors
Author(s) -
Baskerville Megan,
Bazrgar Amir,
Reddy Namratha,
Ofosu Enoch,
Thevathasan Naresh,
Gordon Andrew M.,
Oelbermann Maren
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.1002/jeq2.20250
Subject(s) - riparian zone , riparian forest , environmental science , deciduous , vegetation (pathology) , hydrology (agriculture) , greenhouse gas , carbon dioxide , chemistry , ecology , geology , medicine , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , pathology , habitat , biology
Riparian zones provide multiple benefits, including streambank stabilization and nutrient abatement. However, there is a knowledge gap on how the type of vegetation and environmental factors (e.g., soil temperature, moisture) within the riparian zone influence CO 2 and CH 4 emissions. Our objective was to quantify and compare CO 2 and CH 4 emissions from a herbaceous (grass) riparian zone (GRS), a rehabilitated riparian zone composed of deciduous trees, an undisturbed natural forested riparian zone with deciduous trees (UNF‐D) or coniferous trees (UNF‐C), and an agricultural field. Cumulative soil CO 2 emission ranged from 23 to 105 g CO 2 –C m –2 . Carbon dioxide emissions were greatest ( p < .05) in the GRS zone and lowest ( p < .05) in the UNF‐C riparian zone. The best predictors for CO 2 emissions were soil temperature and soil organic carbon (SOC) content. Cumulative CH 4 emission ranged from –23 to 253 g CH 4 –C m –2 . Methane emissions were greatest ( p < .05) in the UNF‐D and lowest ( p < .05) in the GRS riparian zone. The best predictors for CH 4 emissions were soil moisture, SOC, and photosynthetic photon flux density. The total CO 2 –C equivalent (i.e., CH 4 + CO 2 ) was greatest ( p < .05) for the GRS and lowest ( p < .05) for the UNF‐C riparian zone. The environmental factors controlling CO 2 and CH 4 emissions within the various riparian zones did not change; instead, changes were due to how vegetation within riparian zones influenced these controls.