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Soil respiration from four aggrading forested watersheds measured over a quarter century

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Soil respiration was measured in four aggrading, forested second-growth watersheds in the southern Appalachians using an identical method (alkali absorption) at intervals 23 and 24 years apart. Seasonal trends were similar, with mid-summer maxima and winter minima. Amounts of carbon dioxide evolved were higher in the recent measurements (1995) compared to the earlier ones (1971-1972), despite similar soil water and temperature regimes. The overall trend across all four watersheds may reflect changes in organic matter levels and subsequent root growth.

Keywords

Soil respiration, Carbon balance, Soii organic matter, Aggrading ecosystems

Citation

Coleman, David C.; Hunter, Mark D.; Hutton, John; Pomeroy, Steven; Swift, Lloyd, Jr. 2002. Soil respiration from four aggrading forested watersheds measured over a quarter century. Forest Ecology and Management 157 (2002) 247-253
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/6452