Effects of forest type, stand age, and altitude on soil respiration in subtropical forests of China

Author： Wang Bing Jiang Yan Wei Xiaohua Zhao Guangdong Guo Hao Bai Xiulan

ISSN： 0282-7581

Source： Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, Vol.26, Iss.1, 2011-02, pp. : 40-47

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Abstract

An automated chamber system was used to study how soil respiration (R S) differed with stand age (SA), altitude (AL), and forest type (FT), in subtropical China. From 2006 to 2008, measurements of soil-surface CO2 efflux and associated environmental factors were made in an evergreen broad-leaved forest (EB), and five aged Chinese fir [Cunninghamia lanceolata Hook.] plantations (CF), and three altitudinal Moso bamboo [Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel ex J. Houz.] plantations (MB), in Dagangshan mountain range, Jiangxi Province. Multivariate analysis of covariance with soil temperature (T) and soil water content (SWC) as the covariates showed that FT and AL as the independent factors had a significant effect on R S (P<0.01, P<0.05, respectively). The R S in the CF differed significantly from EB and MB (P<0.001), but not between EB and MB. The R S was positively correlated with T, and responded to changes in SWC at higher Ts. The correlation between R S and SWC was improved when the R S was normalized to 10°C. Annual mean R S differed significantly with SA and were ranked in the order (from high to low) of 21-25, 26-35, 11-20, >36, and 1-10 years. The conclusion of this study is that T, SWC, AL, FT, and SA all have significant effects on Rs in subtropical China.