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Strong spatial variability in trace gasdynamics following experimental drought in a humid tropical forest
Author(s) -
Wood Tana E.,
Silver Whendee L.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
global biogeochemical cycles
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.512
H-Index - 187
eISSN - 1944-9224
pISSN - 0886-6236
DOI - 10.1029/2010gb004014
Subject(s) - biogeochemical cycle , environmental science , throughfall , soil water , trace gas , ecosystem , terrestrial ecosystem , nutrient cycle , hydrology (agriculture) , nutrient , carbon cycle , soil science , atmospheric sciences , ecology , environmental chemistry , chemistry , geology , geotechnical engineering , biology
Soil moisture is a key driver of biogeochemical processes in terrestrial ecosystems, strongly affecting carbon (C) and nutrient availability as well as trace gas production and consumption in soils. Models predict increasing drought frequency in tropical forest ecosystems, which could feed back on future climate change directly via effects on trace gasdynamics and indirectly through changes in nutrient availability. We used throughfall exclusion shelters to determine effects of short‐term (3 month) drought on trace gas fluxes and nutrient availability in humid tropical forests in Puerto Rico. Exclusion and control plots were replicated within and across three topographic zones (ridge, slope, valley) to account for spatial heterogeneity typical of these ecosystems. Throughfall exclusion reduced soil moisture in all sites and lowered exchangeable phosphorus (P) on ridges and slopes. Drought decreased soil carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions by 30% in ridge sites and 28% in slope sites, and increased net methane (CH 4 ) consumption by 480% in valley sites. Both valley and ridge sites became net nitrous oxide (N 2 O) sinks in response to soil drying. Emissions of CO 2 and N 2 O, as well as CH 4 consumption were positively related to exchangeable P and the nitrate:ammonium ratio. These findings suggest that drought has the potential to decrease net trace gas emissions from humid tropical forest soils. The differential response of trace gas emissions and nutrients from different topographic zones to drought underscores the complexity of biogeochemical cycling in these ecosystems and the importance of considering spatial heterogeneity when estimating whole system responses.