Carbon fluxes and their response to environmental variables in a Dahurian larch forest ecosystem in northeast China

The Dahurian larch forest in northeast China is important due to its vastness and location within a transitional zone from boreal to temperate and at the southern distribution edge of the vast Siberian larch forest. The continuous carbon fluxes were measured from May 2004 to April 2005 in the Dahurian larch forest in Northeast China using an eddy covariance method. The results showed that the ecosystem released carbon in the dormant season from mid-October 2004 to April 2005, while it assimilated CO₂ from the atmosphere in the growing season from May to September 2004. The net carbon sequestration reached its peak of 112 g·m⁻²·month⁻¹ in June 2004 (simplified expression of g (carbon)·m⁻²·month⁻¹) and then gradually decreased. Annually, the larch forest was a carbon sink that sequestered carbon of 146 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹ (simplified expression of g (carbon)·m⁻²·a⁻¹) during the measurements. The photosynthetic process of the larch forest ecosystem was largely affected by the vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and temperature. Under humid conditions (VPD < 1.0 kPa), the gross ecosystem production (GEP) increased with increasing temperature. But the net ecosystem production (NEP) showed almost no change with increasing temperature because the increment of GEP was counterbalanced by that of the ecosystem respiration. Under a dry environment (VPD > 1.0 kPa), the GEP decreased with the increasing VPD at a rate of 3.0 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹·kPa^-1 and the ecosystem respiration was also enhanced simultaneously due to the increase of air temperature, which was linearly correlated with the VPD. As a result, the net ecosystem carbon sequestration rapidly decreased with the increasing VPD at a rate of 5.2 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹·kPa⁻¹. Under humid conditions (VPD < 1.0 kPa), both the GEP and NEP were obviously restricted by the low air temperature but were insensitive to the high temperature because the observed high temperature value comes within the category of the optimum range.     

Carbon dioxide sequestration capability of an unmanaged old-growth broadleaf deciduous forest in a Strict Nature Reserve

The seasonal trend of plant carbon dioxide (CO₂) sequestration is related to the photosynthetic activity, which in turn changes in response to environmental conditions. Great interest has turned to the CO₂ sequestration (CS) potential of temperate forests which play an important role in global carbon (C) cycle contributing to the lowering of atmospheric CO₂ concentration. In such context, the CS of an unmanaged old broad-leaf deciduous forest developing inside a Strict Nature Reserve, and its variations during the year were analyzed considering the monthly variations of leaf area index (LAI) and net photosynthetic rates (N_P). Overall, the total yearly CS of the forest was 141 Mg CO₂ ha^?1 year^?1 with the highest CS value monitored in June (405 Mg CO₂ month^?1) due to the highest LAI (5.0 ± 0.8 m² m^?2) and a high N_P in all the broadleaf species. The first CS decline was observed in August due to the more stressful climatic conditions that constrained N_P rates. Overall, the total CS of the forest reflects the good ecological health of the ecosystem due to its conservative management.     

Canopy conductance and stand transpiration of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus simonii Carr</Emphasis> in response to soil and atmospheric water deficits in farmland shelterbelt,Northwest China

Populus simonii Carr trees are the most abundant species in Xinjiang farmland shelterbelt. They played an important role in protecting farmland ecosystem. Their stand transpiration rates and canopy conductances ranged from 0.14 to 1.02 cm d^?1 and from 1.19*10^?3 to 8.99*10^?5 m s^?1, respectively, during the 2014 growing season. Transpiration rate was showed quadratic polynomial regression with vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and air temperature (T), and exponential relationship with solar radiation (R_n). Furthermore, transpiration peaked at VPD, T, and Rn were 2.1 kPa, 23 °C, and 200 W m^?2, respectively. Canopy conductance increased exponentially with the increasing R_n, whereas decreased logarithmically with the increasing VPD. Besides, transpiration increased with the increasing T and VPD ,and decreased sharply with the increasing soil water deficit. Finally, canopy conductance increased with the decreasing atmospheric water deficit. These results are not only providing the basis for more detailed analyses of water physiology and growth of Populus simonii Carr trees for the later application of a climate-driven process model, but also might have implications for farmland shelterbelt management.     

STUDIES ON OPTIMUM MODELS FOR CULTIVATING DAHURIAN LARCH SEEDLINGS ON FRIGID REGIONS

Daxing'a11lingforcstregionislocatedintllcllorthcrnpart0fcoldten1peratczoncinChinacharctcri/cdbyl1arsl1climate,shortagcofacculnulatcdtcn1pcraturc,shortgrowingscas0n.Io\`s0iltel1lpcraturclncarly'sprlng'ctcThcmodclsforcultl\'atingsccdlingsarediffcrcntfrol11tI1oscinotherrcgions.lnordcrtoflndouttI1coptll11ul11l11odclsforcultl1atingsccdllngsofDahurlnlarcI1'oncof111alntimbcrtrccspcclcsinthlsrcglon.\"chadcarriedoutcxpcrilllcntlYo111l()89toI9()3andobtaincdtllcsllllplcbutpracticallncthodlbrdctcnnining…     

Carbon stock estimation for tree species of Sem Mukhem sacred forest in Garhwal Himalaya, India

Carbon stock estimation was conducted in tree species of Sem Mukhem sacred forest in district Tehri of Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. This forest is dedicated to Nagraj Devta and is dominated by tree species, including Quercus floribunda, Quercus semecarpifolia and Rhododendron arboreum. The highest values of below ground biomass density, total biomass density and total carbon density were (34.81±1.68) Mg·ha^?1, (168.26±9.04) Mg·ha^?1 and (84.13±4.18) Mg·ha^?1 for Pinus wallichiana. Overall values of total biomass density and total carbon density calculated were 1549.704 Mg·ha^?1 and 774.77 Mg·ha^?1 respectively. Total value of growing stock volume density for all species was 732.56 m³·ha^?1 and ranged from (144.97±11.98) m³·ha^?1 for Pinus wallichiana to (7.78±1.78) m³·ha^?1 for Benthamidia capitata.     

Seasonal and interannual variation in net ecosystem production of an evergreen needleleaf forest in Japan

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) flux was measured above the forest at the Fujiyoshida site on the northern slope of Mount Fuji in Japan in 2000?C2008 using an eddy covariance technique. The forest mainly consists of Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) and Japanese holly (Ilex pedunculosa). The 9-year average of monthly mean net ecosystem production (NEP) ranged from ?0.1?g?C?m^?2?day^?1 in January to 2.5?g?C?m^?2?day^?1 in May. The maximum net uptake was observed in May, although gross primary production (GPP) was highest in July. Variation in the leaf amount did not notably affect seasonal variation in GPP. This site was characterized by carbon uptake even in winter, if the meteorological conditions were conducive for photosynthesis and a resulting long period of carbon uptake. The 9-year averages of annual NEP, GPP, and ecosystem respiration (RE) were 388, 1,802, and 1,413?g?C?m^?2?year^?1, respectively. The annual NEP was lowest in 2003 and highest in 2004 over the 9?years. Year-to-year variability of NEP mainly depended on air temperature and photosynthetically active radiation in summer, and the dependence of the deviation of annual NEP on that of GPP was greater than that of RE. Long-term observational data indicated that the carbon uptake ability at the study site was at a moderate level in comparison with other temperate humid evergreen forests around the world. These data also indicated that the site had a high carbon uptake ability compared with other deciduous forests in Japan because of the duration of carbon uptake.     

长白山典型阔叶红松林土壤二氧化碳排放通量

随着大气CO2浓度的升高,主要由其引起的温室效应与对生物新陈代谢的影响变得越来越显著。森林生态系统在全球碳循环中扮演着重要的角色。为了评估和理解森林土壤CO2通量及其随空气和土壤温度的季节和昼夜变化规律,我们在长白山北坡典型阔叶红松林内利用静态箱技术进行了原位观测。实验在整个生长季(6月初至9月末)昼夜进行,利用气相色谱进行气体分析。结果表明: 长白山阔叶红松林土壤是大气二氧化碳源,其CO2通量具有明显的季节和昼夜变化规律。通量的变化范围是(0.30-2.42)μmol穖-2穝-1,平均值为0.98μmol穖-2穝-1。土壤CO2排放的季节规律表明,土壤CO2通量的变化与气温和土壤温度的变化有关。CO2平均通量的最大值出现在7月((1.27±23%)μmol穖-2穝-1),最小值出现在9月((0.5±28%)μmol穖-2穝-1)。土壤CO2的昼夜波动与土壤温度变化有关,而在时间上滞后于温度的变化。森林下垫面土壤CO2通量与土壤温度显著相关,与6cm深度土层温度相关系数最大。基于气温和土壤温度计算的Q10值范围为2.09-3.40。图2表3参37。     

CO2 fluxes of a Scots pine forest growing in the warm and dry southern upper Rhine plain, SW Germany

The effects of the warm and dry weather in the southern upper Rhine plain in the southwest of Germany on the carbon balance of the Scots pine forest at the permanent forest meteorological experimental site Hartheim were analysed over a 14-month period. The investigation of the net ecosystem exchange of carbon dioxide (F _NEE) of the Scots pine forest started in the extraordinary hot and dry August 2003. Carbon dioxide fluxes were measured continuously using an eddy covariance system and analysed by use of the EDDYSOFT software package. After determining the temperature dependence of the forest ecosystem respiration and the daytime light dependence of the CO₂ exchange, monthly and annual carbon balances of the Scots pine forest were calculated. Mean peak daytime F _NEE rates observed in August and September 2003 (−6.5±3.6 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) were drastically lower than in August and September 2004 (−11.8±5.2 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), which did not show pronounced deviations from the mean long-term (1978–2002) climatic conditions. In August 2003, the Hartheim Scots pine forest was a distinct CO₂ source (35 g C m⁻²). The estimates of the annual carbon sink strength of the Scots pine forest ranged between −132 g C m⁻² (August 2003–July 2004) and −211 g C m⁻² (October 2003–September 2004). The main uncertainty in the determination of the carbon balance of the Hartheim Scots pine forest was introduced by the frequently low turbulence levels, i.e. the friction velocity corrected night-time F _NEE fluxes.     

长白山白桦林地土壤呼吸的季节变化

2004年5月至9月,研究了长白山白桦林土壤呼吸以及根系呼吸对土壤呼吸的贡献随土壤温度和土壤湿度的季节变化,研究结果表明：土壤总呼吸、断根土壤呼吸和根系呼吸在生长季内有相似的季节变化趋势,夏季潮湿而且温度较高,呼吸速率也较高,春季和秋季温度较低,呼吸速率也较低。2004年5月至9月,土壤总呼吸、断根土壤呼吸和根系呼吸的平均值分别为4.44,2.30和2.14μmol&#183;m^-2s^-1,三者与土壤温度均呈指数相关,与土壤湿度呈线性相关,三者的Q10值分别为2.82,2.59和3.16,这与其他学者的结果相似。根系呼吸是土壤呼吸的一个重要组成部分,2004年5月至9月,根系呼吸对土壤总呼吸的贡献在29.3～58.7%之间。根据Q10模型估算的土壤总呼吸、断根土壤呼吸和根系呼吸的全年平均值分别为1.96、1.08和0.87μmol&#183;m^-2s^-1,即741.73、408.71和329.24gC&#183;m^-2&#183;a^-1,全年根系对土壤总呼吸的贡献为44.4%。土壤呼吸和土壤温度之间的关系模型是了解和预测长白山白桦林生态系统潜在的随森林管理和气候变化而变化的有用工具。     

Substantial amounts of carbon are sequestered during dry periods in an old-growth subtropical forest in South China

A number of continuous eddy covariance measurements and long-term biomass inventories had proved that old-growth forests are carbon sinks worldwide. The present study estimated the net ecosystem productivity (NEP) for an old-growth subtropical forest at the Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve in South China to investigate the temporal pattern of carbon sequestration, both seasonally and annually. The measured NEP over 7 years (from 2003 to 2009) showed that this forest was a net carbon sink, ranging from 230 (in 2008) to 489 g C m^?2 year^?1 (in 2004). The greatest value of NEP was found in the driest year and the lowest value in the wettest year during the study period. Within a year, NEP during the dry season was about 81.4 % higher than for the wet season. Accordingly, the dry season at seasonal scale and dry years at interannual scale are key periods for carbon sequestration in this forest. The strong seasonality of ecosystem or soil respiration (ER or SR) compared with gross primary productivity (GPP) resulted in substantial amounts of carbon being sequestered during dry seasons. A decrease of GPP and an increase of ER or SR demonstrated the lower carbon uptake in rainy years. From this study, we conclude that GPP and living biomass carbon increment are not overriding parameters controlling NEP. The variations in ER or SR driven by the rainfall scheme were the dominant factor determining the magnitude of NEP in this forest in South China.     

Carbon sequestration in Chir-Pine （Pinus roxburghii Sarg.） forests under various disturbance levels in Kumaun Central Himalaya

We studied variations in tree biomass and carbon sequestration rates of Chir Pine(Pinus roxburghii. Sarg.) forest in three categories of forest disturbance, protected, moderately disturbed, and highly disturbed. In the first year, total biomass was 14.7 t?ha-1 in highly disturbed site, 94.46 t?ha-1 in moderately disturbed forest, and 112.0 t?ha-1 in protected forest. The soil organic carbon in the top 20 cm of soil ranged from 0.63 to 1.2%. The total rate of carbon sequestration was 0.60(t/ha)·a-1on the highly disturbed site, 1.03(t/ha)·a-1 on the moderately disturbed site, and 4.3(t/ha)·a-1 on the protected site.     

Carbon storage in evergreen broad-leaf forests in mid-subtropical region of China at four succession stages

To better understand the effect of forest succession on carbon sequestration, we investigated carbon stock and allocation of evergreen broadleaf forest, a major zonal forest in subtropical China. We so...     

Variation of stem density and vegetation carbon pool in subtropical forests of Northwestern Himalaya

The present study was conducted in five forest types of subtropical zone in the Northwestern Himalaya, India. Three forest stands of 0.1 ha were laid down in each forest type to study the variation in vegetation carbon pool, stem density, and ecosystem carbon density. The stem density in the present study ranged from (483 to 417 trees ha^?1) and stem biomass from (262.40 to 39.97 tha^?1). Highest carbon storage (209.95 t ha^?1) was recorded in dry Shiwalik sal forest followed by Himalayan chir forest > chir pine plantation > lower Shiwalik pine forest > northern mixed dry deciduous forest. Maximum tree above ground biomass is observed in dry Shiwalik sal forests (301.78 t ha^?1), followed by upper Himalayan chir pine forests (194 t ha^?1) and lower in Shiwalik pine forests (138.73 t ha^?1). The relationship with stem volume showed the maximum adjusted r² (0.873), followed by total density (0.55) and average DBH (0.528). The regression equation of different parameters with shrub biomass showed highest r² (0.812) and relationship between ecosystem carbon with other parameters of different forest types, where cubic function with stem volume showed highest r² value of 0.873 through cubic functions. Our results suggest that biomass and carbon stocks in these subtropical forests vary greatly with forest type and species density. This variation among forests can be used as a tool for carbon credit claims under ongoing international conventions and protocols.     

Tree productivity and water potential productivity in returning farmland to forest project in Datong County,Qinghai Province

From 2002 to 2003, based on the investigation of sample plots and stem analysis of remained plantation communities in the areas of returning farmland to forest in the 1980s in Datong County, Qinghai Province, this paper studies tree productivity and moisture potential productivity of six types of plantations on the land of returning farmland to forest, such as green poplar (Populus cathayana Rehd.) and shrub mixed forest, Asia white birch (Betula platyphylla) and China spruce (Picea asperata) mixed forest, Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii) pure forest, China spruce pure forest and Asia white birch pure forest and so on. The results show that: in sub-humid region of Loess Plateau, 3 000 trees per hm² is a proper standard of planting density. Under current condition, the productivity index of green poplar and shrub mixed forest, Asia white birch pure forest, China spruce pure forest, and Asia white birch and China spruce mixed forest with the density of 2 100–3 333 trees per hm² can serve as potential productivity standard of actual biomass of arbor established forest. In sub-humid area, Thornthwaite Model is adopted to estimate plant climate potential productivity, which is about 8 462 kg&#8226;hm^–2&#8226;a^–1. The actual potential water productive efficiency of Purplecone spruce (Picea purpurea) and Asia white birch pure established forest are 17.22 and 22.14 kg&#8226;mm^–1&#8226;hm^–2&#8226;a^–1 respectively, and that of green poplar and shrub mixed established forest, and Asia white birch and China spruce mixed established forest are 21.14 and 19.09 kg&#8226;mm^–1&#8226;hm^–2&#8226;a^–1 respectively. The potential productivity of green poplar and shrub mixed forest, Asia white birch and China spruce mixed forest, China spruce pure forest and Asia white birch pure forest which have grown into forest with the density of 3 000 trees per hm² have attained or been close to that of local climax community, which is local maximum tree productivity at present. These types of forestation models are the developing direction of the returning farmland to forest project.     

Influence of climatic factors on carbon accumulation in the aerial biomass of native vegetation in the south of Piauí, in the Brazilian Northeast

An understanding of forest carbon budgets, such as the factors that influence different levels of carbon accumulation, is one of the first steps in protecting and restoring areas of plant cover. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis was applied to evaluate the influence of climate variables (Rainfall, and mean maximum and minimum temperatures) on intra-annual above-ground carbon accumulated in tree species of the Caatinga. Above-ground carbon accumulated in the trees was 0.06 Mg ha^?1 month^?1. Carbon allocation in the aerial parts of the trees increased significantly with rainfall. Maximum and minimum temperature had little influence on carbon storage; however, variations in carbon accumulation are best explained when minimum and maximum temperatures are added to the regression model for rainfall, thereby demonstrating the simultaneous effect of these variables, and better explaining the carbon increase.     

Vegetation structural characteristics and topographic factors in the remnant moist Afromontane forest of Wondo Genet, south central Ethiopia

For forest ecosystem management to be effective, knowledge of the horizontal and vertical structural diversity of a forest is essential. The moist Afromontane highlands of Wondo Genet in south-central Ethiopia present an opportunity to restore and rehabilitate and enhance the ecosystem services to be obtained from this forest sustainably. We focused on the forest structural characteristics to better understand the current forest conditions to assist in the sustainable management of this resource. A total of 75 (20 m × 20 m) quadrats were sampled and diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 2 cm and stem height ≥ 2 m were measured. Species identity and abundance, elevation, slope, and aspect were recorded for each plot. Structural characteristics were computed for each plot. Relationship of topographic factors with vegetation characteristics was conducted using R-Software. A total of 72 woody species was recorded. Whereas, the overall diameter distribution shows an inverted J-shaped curve, the basal area followed a bell-shaped pattern. Five types of population structures are revealed. The mean tree density and basal area was 397.3 stems·ha^?1 and 31.4 m²·ha^?1, respectively. Only 2.8% of the tree species have densities of >25 stems·ha^?1 and the percentage distribution of trees show 56.2% in the DBH class 2–10 cm, indicating that the forest is dominated by medium-sized trees. Celtis africana (8.81 m²·ha^?1) and Pouteria adolfi-friedericii (5.13 m²·ha^?1) make the highest contribution to the basal area and species importance value index. The families/species with the highest importance value index are Ulmaceae, Fabacea and Sapotaceae. Species abundance (r ² =0.32, p <0.001) and species richness (r ² =0.50, p <0.001) are positively related with tree density. Tree density is negatively related with elevation (r ² =?0.36, p <0.001), slope (r ² =?0.15, p <0.001) and aspect (r ² =?0.07, p <0.05). While basal area is negatively related with elevation (r ² =?0.14, p <0.001), it has a positive relationship with tree density (r ² =0.28, p <0.001 and species richness (r ² =0.098). Species with poor population structure should be assisted by restoration tasks and further anthropogenic disturbance such as illegal logging and fuel wood extraction should be restricted.     

Soil organic matter in European forest floors in relation to stand characteristics and environmental factors

Published data on the quantities of organic matter in the forest floor (SOM_fl) of European forest stands were collated. Studies of SOM_fl were included if the total sampled surface was at least 0.15 m², the surface of a single sample was at least 100 cm², live material was sorted out, and ash or carbon content was determined. Data from 59 forest stands were compared with regard to stand characteristics and environment. Using a single variable, tree genus was most important for the amount of SOM_fl (R ² _adj = 0.34). The amounts in spruce stands (41 × 10³ kg ha^?1) were significantly higher than those in larch, Douglas fir, oak and birch stands (4–11 × 10³ kg ha^?1). The best significant multiple model was genus combined with stand age and basal area (R ² _adj. = 0.72). The importance of litter quantity and quality for differentiating the tree genera is discussed.     

Bioenergy production and soil conservation from Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) plantations in Denmark

This study analyses the trade-off between bioenergy production and soil conservation through thinning operations in Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) plantations in Denmark. Thinning operations were evaluated under different regimes and intensities for a complete rotation period of sixty years and for different site qualities (site-classes I–VI). Applying a dynamic forest growth modeling tool, evolution of forest structure was predicted to observe the potentials for biomass production and inevitable soil degradation. Results showed thinning from below, with a higher utilization (maintenance of a minimum basal area of 25 m² ha^?1) could produce more bioenergy. However, these operations require simultaneous severe forest soil degradation. Therefore, the optimum thinning for bioenergy production under preservation constraints was thinning from above with a lower intensity (maintenance of a minimum basal area of 45 m² ha^?1). The ratio of bioenergy win (kWh) to soil-loss (m³ ha^?1) was calculated for this regime varying between 74,894 kWh m^?3 in a high quality site (site-class I) and 6,516 kWh m^?3 in a low quality site (site-class VI) with an average of 44,282 kWh m^?3. However, this could not always preserve the highest amount of growing stock essential for natural dynamics of forest ecosystem with an exception of the low quality sites (site-class VI). Thus, when aiming at bioenergy production through thinning operations, trade-offs with soil conservation and growing stock preservation should be regarded to prevent environmental degradation.     

Carbon balance in a cool–temperate deciduous forest in northern Japan: seasonal and interannual variations, and environmental controls of its annual balance

We monitored variation in seasonal and annual net ecosystem production (NEP), gross primary production (GPP), and ecosystem respiration (R _E) based on 7-year eddy covariance measurements above a cool?Ctemperate deciduous broad-leaved forest (Japanese beech forest). The 7-year means (±SD) of annual NEP, GPP, and R _E were 312?±?64, 1250?±?62, and 938?±?36?g?C?m^?2?year^?1, respectively. Variation in NEP was much larger than variation in GPP and R _E. During the growing season, the main factor controlling carbon balance was air temperature; variation in seasonal integrated NEP was regulated by accumulated air temperature (degree-day) with a significant negative correlation, whereas the seasonal ratio of R _E to GPP was correlated positively with accumulated air temperature. Because the deviation of seasonal NEP was also significantly correlated with seasonal R _E/GPP, NEP was controlled by R _E/GPP, depending on air temperature during the growing season. Seasonal R _E in the defoliation and snow seasons was also important for evaluating the annual carbon balance, because the total number of days in the two seasons was quite large owing to a long snowy winter. In the defoliation and snow seasons, we found defoliation season length was a major factor determining seasonal integrated R _E, illustrating the positive correlation between R _E and defoliation season length. The major factors controlling interannual variations in forest carbon balance are discussed.     

德国中部Soiling云杉-山毛榉混交林冠层组成对土壤CO2排放的影响

It was hypothesized that soil respiration can be affected by canopy composition. Hence, admixture of trees as a common forest management practice may cause significant change in the carbon cycling. This study was conducted in a mixed spruce-beech stand at Solling forest in central Germany to investigate the effect of canopy composition on soil respiration. The canopy cover was classified in four major canopy classes (pure beech, pure spruce, mixed and gap), and the area under each canopy class was identified as a sub-plot. Soil respiration in each sub-plot (n=4) was measured monthly from Jun 2005 to July 2006. Results show significant difference in annual soil respiration between the beech (359 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹ C) and gap (211 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹ C) sub-plots. The estimation of the total below-ground carbon allocation (TBCA) based on a model given by Raich and Nadelhoffer revealed considerably higher root CO₂ production in the beech sub-plot (231 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹ C) compare to the gap sub-plot (51 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹ C). The contribution of the root respiration to the total soil respiration was higher in the soil under the beech canopy (59%) compared with the soil in the gap (29%). The findings suggested that the condition under the beech canopy may cause more desirable micro-site for autotrophic respiration and consequently higher CO₂ release into the atmosphere.