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Effects of Temperature and Moisture on Carbon Dioxide Evolution in a Mixed Deciduous Forest Floor
Author(s) -
Edwards Nelson T.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1975.03615995003900020034x
Subject(s) - carbon dioxide , litter , forest floor , moisture , deciduous , environmental science , soil respiration , ecology , zoology , chemistry , carbon cycle , respirometer , respiration , q10 , ecosystem respiration , atmospheric sciences , ecosystem , soil science , botany , soil water , biology , primary production , geology , organic chemistry
Rates of CO 2 evolution from forest litter and soil reflect the metabolic activity of the biota, including live roots and organisms responsible for decomposition. The objective of this study was to quantify the relationship of temperature and moisture to forest floor CO 2 evolution in a mixed deciduous forest with the expectation of using this relationship to predict temporal changes in CO 2 evolution rates in this and other similar forest ecosystems. Mean daily total CO 2 evolution, measured via the inverted box method and infrared gas analysis, exhibited a significantly strong relationship with mean daily litter temperature ( R 2 = 0.94). Measured rates (3924 g CO 2 m ‐2 year ‐1 ) were < 3% higher than those predicted from a regression equation with litter temperature as the independent variable. Litter respiration rates measured with a differential respirometer at field temperatures were equivalent to 838 g of CO 2 m ‐2 year ‐1 . These values were subtracted from total CO 2 efflux measurements for an estimate of 3086 g of CO 2 m ‐2 year ‐1 evolved from the soil (including roots). This rate was within 1% of the 3095 g m ‐2 year ‐1 predicted from mean daily litter temperatures. Estimates based on litter temperatures overestimate CO 2 evolution under extreme moisture conditions throughout the year and under‐estimate in early fall, when litter respiration is high—due in part to increased amounts of readily available energy and nutrients from freshly fallen leaves.