Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Soil respiration in a high-elevation subalpine forest in China

Author(s):

Shuzheng Luo ^{1, 2}, Guohua Liu ¹*, Chanjuan Hu ¹, Zongshan Li ¹

Recieved Date: 2014-02-26, Accepted Date: 2014-04-19

Abstract:

We investigated soil respiration with the dynamic closed chamber method in a primary sub-alpine fir forest in China. Three plots (30 m × 10 m) were selected at altitudes of 3760, 3919 and 4109 m in the primary fir forest in June 2010, respectively. The results showed that soil respiration rate (mean ± SE) was 2.45 ± 0.10 µmol CO₂ m^-2 s^-1 at an altitude of 3760 m, 1.72 ± 0.09 µmol CO₂ m^-2 s^-1 at an altitude of 3919 m and 1.52 ± 0.05 µmol CO₂ m^-2 s^-1 at an altitude of 4109 m; on a diurnal scale, variation in soil respiration showed a single peak curve and closely followed the pattern of air temperature change; soil respiration had a significant correlation relationship with air temperature (R = 0.672; p = 0.000; n = 45) and soil temperature (R = 0.651; p = 0.000; n = 45). However, soil respiration was not significantly correlated with soil water content (p > 0.05; n = 45); furthermore, soil respiration had an exponential regression relationship with air temperature (y = 1.0440*exp0.0571*x; R² = 0.4625; p = 0.000; n = 45) as well as soil temperature (y = 1.1715*exp0.0986*x; R² = 0.4325; p = 0.000; n = 45); the exponential Q₁₀ value was 1.77 calculated by using air temperature, and was 2.68 calculated by using soil temperature. Our results suggest temperature increases might enhance soil respiration rate. Because of the strong dependence of Q₁₀ on the applied function and temperature, we should predict the sensitivity of soil respiration to global warming with caution in the future.

Keywords:

Primary fir forest, soil respiration, air temperature, soil temperature, Q₁₀

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2014
Volume: 12
Issue: 2
Category: Environment
Pages: 982-985

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