Pedosphere 19(3): 273--280, 2009
ISSN 1002-0160/CN 32-1315/P
©2009 Soil Science Society of China
Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press
Influence of thinning on soil CO2 efflux in Chinese fir plantations
TIAN Da-Lun, YAN Wen-De, FANG Xi, KANG Wen-Xing, DENG Xiang-Wen and WANG Guang-Jun
Forest Ecology Section, Faculty of Life Sciences and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410006 (China)
ABSTRACT
      Forest management is expected to influence soil CO2 efflux (FCO2) as a result of changes in microenvironmental conditions, soil microclimate, and root dynamics. Soil FCO2 rate was measured during the growing season of 2006 in both thinning and non-thinning locations within stands ranging from 0 to 8 years after the most recent thinning in Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook) plantations in Huitong Ecosystem Research Station, Hunan, China. Soil temperature and moisture were also measured to examine relationships between FCO2 and soil properties. Forest thinning resulted in huge changes in FCO2 that varied with time since cutting. Immediately following harvest (year 0) FCO2 in thinning area increased by about 30%, declined to 20%-27% below pre-cutting levels during years 4-6, and recovered to pre-cutting levels at 8 years post-cutting. A similar temporal pattern, but with smaller changes, was found in non-thinning locations. The initial increase in FCO2 could be attributed to a combination of root decay, soil disturbance, and increased soil temperature in gaps, while the subsequent decrease and recovery to the death and gradual regrowth of active roots. Strong effects of soil temperature and soil water content on FCO2 were found. Forest thinning mainly influenced FCO2 through changes in tree root respiration, and the net result was a decrease in integrated FCO2 flux through the entire felling cycle.
Key Words:  forest, soil moisture, soil properties, soil respiration, soil temperature
Citation: Tian, D. L., Yan, W. D., Fang, X., Kang, W. X., Deng, X. W. and Wang, G. J. 2009. Influence of thinning on soil CO2 efflux in Chinese fir plantations. Pedosphere. 19(3): 273-280.
View Full Text



Copyright © 2024 Editorial Committee of PEDOSPHERE. All rights reserved.
Address: P. O. Box 821, 71 East Beijing Road, Nanjing 210008, China    E-mail: pedosphere@issas.ac.cn
Technical support: Beijing E-Tiller Co.,Ltd.