Contribution of litter layer to soil greenhouse gas emissions in a temperate beech forest.
In: Plant & Soil, Jg. 403 (2016-06-01), Heft 1/2, S. 455-469
Online
academicJournal
Zugriff:
Background and aims: The litter layer is a major source of CO, and it also influences soil-atmosphere exchange of NO and CH. So far, it is not clear how much of soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emission derives from the litter layer itself or is litter-induced. The present study investigates how the litter layer controls soil GHG fluxes and microbial decomposer communities in a temperate beech forest. Methods: We removed the litter layer in an Austrian beech forest and studied responses of soil CO, CH and NO fluxes and the microbial community via phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA). Soil GHG fluxes were determined with static chambers on 22 occasions from July 2012 to February 2013, and soil samples collected at 8 sampling events. Results: Litter removal reduced CO emissions by 30 % and increased temperature sensitivity (Q) of CO fluxes. Diffusion of CH into soil was facilitated by litter removal and CH uptake increased by 16 %. This effect was strongest in autumn and winter when soil moisture was high. Soils without litter turned from net NO sources to slight NO sinks because NO emissions peaked after rain events in summer and autumn, which was not the case in litter-removal plots. Microbial composition was only transiently affected by litter removal but strongly influenced by seasonality. Conclusions: Litter layers must be considered in calculating forest GHG budgets, and their influence on temperature sensitivity of soil GHG fluxes taken into account for future climate scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Titel: |
Contribution of litter layer to soil greenhouse gas emissions in a temperate beech forest.
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Autor/in / Beteiligte Person: | Leitner, Sonja ; Sae-Tun, Orracha ; Kranzinger, Lukas ; Zechmeister-Boltenstern, Sophie ; Zimmermann, Michael |
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Zeitschrift: | Plant & Soil, Jg. 403 (2016-06-01), Heft 1/2, S. 455-469 |
Veröffentlichung: | 2016 |
Medientyp: | academicJournal |
ISSN: | 0032-079X (print) |
DOI: | 10.1007/s11104-015-2771-3 |
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