Abstract
Due to the growing concern over increasing atmospheric CO
2 concentrations, it has become increasingly important to understand the influence forest practices have on the global carbon cycle. The thinning of loblolly pine (
Pinus taeda) plantations in the Southeastern United States is a common silvicultural practice and has great potential to influence carbon fluxes. In order to quantify the effects of thinning on CO
2 efflux (E
c), measurements were taken monthly for 1 year, following the thinning of a 22-year-old loblolly pine stand. Soil moisture and temperature were measured concurrently with respiration. E
c measurements were taken at positions adjacent to trees and new stumps, as well as 1.22 m away. E
c appeared to exhibit a slight increase in thinned stands; however, all significant differences were explained by the higher temperatures in thinned stands. This suggests that other than through increasing temperature, thinning does not significantly affect soil E
c , as gains and losses in respiration from many altered biological processes may cancel each other out.
Parent Publication
Citation
Selig, M.F.; Seiler, J.R. 2004. Soil CO
2 Efflux Trends Following the Thinning of a 22-Year-Old Loblolly Pine Plantation on the Piedmont of Virginia. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–71. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pp. 469-472