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Effect of litter layer on soil–atmosphere N2O flux of a subtropical pine plantation in China
Abstract Forest soils are important sources for nitrous oxide (N2O), but how the surface litter layer affects these sources is still unclear. Seasonal rainfall in the subtropical monsoon climate provides a unique opportunity to examine soil–atmosphere N2O flux under a wide range of soil water content. We studied this question over 3 years using a litter removal method in a 20-year-old pine plantation (Pinus elliottii) in subtropical China. Annual mean chamber-based soil–atmosphere N2O fluxes of the control (F CK) and litter-free (F LF) treatments were 6.07 and 5.17 μg N2O m−2 h−1, respectively. Removal of the litter layer reduced 15% of soil N2O emissions, suggesting the mineral soil as the dominant factor that determines soil N2O emissions. Seasonal F CK and F LF were both significantly influenced by water-filled pore space (WFPS) but not by soil temperature (T S). However, F CK and F LF were both correlated with T S during the wet season (January–June) but not during the dry season (July–December). During the wet season, F CK and F LF were 84% and 132% higher than during the dry season, respectively. In contrast, seasonal litter-based N2O fluxes (F CK−LF = F CK − F LF) were not correlated with WFPS and T S. During the dry season, however, a positive relationship was observed for F CK−LF and WFPS. In the context of climate change and human activities, future changes in soil environment and surface litter management will alter the strength of soil N2O emissions of the subtropical pine forests in China.
Highlights How litter layer affects soil–atmosphere N2O flux has not been sufficiently studied. We studied this in a subtropical pine forest under a wide range of soil moisture. Litter removal reduced 15% of N2O emission, indicating the key role of mineral soil. Soil N2O flux was affected by water-filled pore space but not soil temperature. Response of seasonal N2O flux to temperature was dependent on soil water conditions.
Effect of litter layer on soil–atmosphere N2O flux of a subtropical pine plantation in China
Abstract Forest soils are important sources for nitrous oxide (N2O), but how the surface litter layer affects these sources is still unclear. Seasonal rainfall in the subtropical monsoon climate provides a unique opportunity to examine soil–atmosphere N2O flux under a wide range of soil water content. We studied this question over 3 years using a litter removal method in a 20-year-old pine plantation (Pinus elliottii) in subtropical China. Annual mean chamber-based soil–atmosphere N2O fluxes of the control (F CK) and litter-free (F LF) treatments were 6.07 and 5.17 μg N2O m−2 h−1, respectively. Removal of the litter layer reduced 15% of soil N2O emissions, suggesting the mineral soil as the dominant factor that determines soil N2O emissions. Seasonal F CK and F LF were both significantly influenced by water-filled pore space (WFPS) but not by soil temperature (T S). However, F CK and F LF were both correlated with T S during the wet season (January–June) but not during the dry season (July–December). During the wet season, F CK and F LF were 84% and 132% higher than during the dry season, respectively. In contrast, seasonal litter-based N2O fluxes (F CK−LF = F CK − F LF) were not correlated with WFPS and T S. During the dry season, however, a positive relationship was observed for F CK−LF and WFPS. In the context of climate change and human activities, future changes in soil environment and surface litter management will alter the strength of soil N2O emissions of the subtropical pine forests in China.
Highlights How litter layer affects soil–atmosphere N2O flux has not been sufficiently studied. We studied this in a subtropical pine forest under a wide range of soil moisture. Litter removal reduced 15% of N2O emission, indicating the key role of mineral soil. Soil N2O flux was affected by water-filled pore space but not soil temperature. Response of seasonal N2O flux to temperature was dependent on soil water conditions.
Effect of litter layer on soil–atmosphere N2O flux of a subtropical pine plantation in China
Wang, Yidong (author) / Wang, Huimin (author) / Wang, Zhong-Liang (author) / Ma, Zeqing (author) / Dai, Xiaoqin (author) / Wen, Xuefa (author) / Liu, Yunfen (author)
Atmospheric Environment ; 82 ; 106-112
2013-10-10
7 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English