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Contributions of root respiration to total soil respiration before and after frost in Populus euphratica forests
Author(s) -
Zhao ZhiMin,
Zhao ChengYi,
Mu YiliHa,
Yu Sheng,
Li Jun
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of plant nutrition and soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1522-2624
pISSN - 1436-8730
DOI - 10.1002/jpln.201000156
Subject(s) - populus euphratica , soil respiration , respiration , abiotic component , frost (temperature) , environmental science , botany , chemistry , biology , ecology , geology , geomorphology
Temporal changes in soil CO 2 ‐efflux rate was measured by a canopy‐gap method in a Populus euphratica forest located at the both sides of Tarim River banks (W China). Soil CO 2 ‐efflux rates in situ were correlated with key soil biotic ( e.g., fungal, bacterial, and actinomycetes populations) and abiotic ( e.g., soil moisture, temperature, pH, organic C) variables. Two kinds of measurement plots were selected: one under the crown of a living Populus euphratica tree and the other under a dead standing Populus euphratica tree. Diurnal variations in soil respiration in these plots were measured both before and after the occurrence of the first frost. Soil respiration of the dead standing Populus euphratica ( Rd ) was assumed to be a measure of heterotrophic respiration rate ( Rh ), and root respiration rate ( Rr ) was estimated as the difference between soil respiration under living ( Rl ) minus soil respiration under dead standing Populus euphratica. Daily variation of Rr contribution to the total soil respiration in Populus euphratica forests were analyzed before and after the frost. The contribution of root respiration to total soil respiration before and after frost varied from 22% to 45% (mean 30%) and from 38% to 50% (mean 45%), respectively. In addition, Rh was significantly correlated with soil temperature both before and after frost. In contrast, Rr was not significantly correlated with soil temperature. Change in Q 10 of Rr was different from that of Rh from before the frost to after the frost. Variation of Q 10 of Rr from before the frost to after the frost was larger than that of Q 10 of Rh. Thus, the results indicate that different soil respiration models are needed for Rr and Rh because different factors control the two components of soil respiration.