Rhizospheric and heterotrophic respiration of a warm-temperate oak chronosequence in China

Plot trenching and root decomposition experiments were conducted in a warm-temperate oak chronosequence (40-year-old, 48-year-old, 80-year-old, and 143-year-old) in China. We partitioned total soil surface CO₂ efflux (R_S) into heterotrophic (R_H) and rhizospheric (R_R) components across the growing season of 2009. We found that the temporal variation of R_R and R_H can be well explained by soil temperature (T₅) at 5 cm depth using exponential equations for all forests. However, R_R of 40-year-old and 48-year-old forests peaked in September, while their T₅ peaks occurred in August. R_R of 80-year-old and 143-year-old forests showed a similar pattern to T₅. The contribution of R_R to R_S (RC) of 40-year-old and 48-year-old forests presented a second peak in September. Seasonal variation of R_R may be accounted for by the different successional stages. Cumulative R_H and R_R during the growing season varied with forest age. The estimated R_H values for 40-year-old, 48-year-old, 80-year-old and 143-year-old forests averaged 431.72, 452.02, 484.62 and 678.93 g C m⁻², respectively, while the corresponding values of R_R averaged 191.94, 206.51, 321.13 and 153.03 g C m⁻². The estimated RC increased from 30.78% in the 40-year-old forest to 39.85% in the 80-year-old forest and then declined to 18.39% in the 143-year-old forest. We found soil organic carbon (SOC), especially the light fraction organic carbon (LFOC), stock at 0-10 cm soil depth correlated well with R_H. There was no significant relationship between R_R and fine root biomass regardless of stand age. Measured apparent temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) of R_H (3.93 ± 0.27) was significantly higher than that of R_R (2.78 ± 0.73). Capillary porosity decreased as stand age increased and it was negatively correlated to cumulative R_S. Our results emphasize the importance of partitioning soil respiration in evaluating the stand age effect on soil respiration and its significance to future model construction.     

Long-term (42 years) effect of thinning on soil CO2 emission in a mixed broadleaved-Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) forest in Northeast China

Thinning is an important forest management practice that has great potential to influence regional soil carbon storage and dynamics.The present study measured soil respiration(RS,the efflux of CO2 emitted)and its two components(heterotrophic(RH)and autotrophic(RA)respiration)from soil 42 years after thinning in comparison to un-thinning(control).Autotrophic respiration was significantly greater in the thinning plot,approximately 44%higher compared to the control,while both RSand RHwere slightly,but not significantly,higher in the thinning plot.Higher fine root biomass might have contributed to the higher RAin the thinning plot.Both RSand RHshowed clear soil temperature-dependent seasonal patterns,whereas RAwas less responsive to changes in temperature,especially within one specific season.The annual and season-specific temperature sensitivities of RSand RHwere lower in the thinning plot,specifically during the mid-growing season.Furthermore,variations in the season-specific temperature sensitivity of RSand RHwere less intense in the thinning plot.We conclude that forest thinning can reduce the temperature sensitivity of RSand RHduring the mid-growing season and increase soil CO2 emission in the long term.     

Simulated rain addition modifies diurnal patterns and temperature sensitivities of autotrophic and heterotrophic soil respiration in an arid desert ecosystem

The timing and magnitude of rainfall events in arid and semiarid regions are expected to change dramatically in future decades, which will likely greatly affect regional carbon cycles. To understand how increases in rainfall affect the diurnal patterns and temperature sensitivities (Q₁₀) of soil respiration (R_S) and its key components (i.e. heterotrophic respiration (R_H) and autotrophic respiration (R_A)), we conducted a manipulative field experiment in a desert ecosystem of Northwest China. We simulated five different scenarios of future rain regimes (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% increase over local annual mean precipitation) each month from May to September in 2009. We measured R_S and R_H every three hours on 6 and 16 days after the rain addition, and estimated R_A by calculating the difference between R_S and R_H. We found that rain addition significantly increased the daily mean R_S and its components on the two measurement days during the growing season. However, the diurnal pattern was different between the two respiration components. Rain addition significantly increased the daily Q₁₀ value of R_H but suppressed that of R_A on Day 6. Rain addition had no influence on daily Q₁₀ value of both respiration components on Day 16 when soil moisture was lower. In addition, we observed significantly higher daily Q₁₀ of R_H than R_A under all five rain addition treatments, indicating that microbial respiration is more temperature sensitive than root respiration in a short-time scale in this desert ecosystem. Thus, partitioning soil respiration into its two components, and analyzing the differential responses of R_H and R_A to future climate changes should be considered for more accurate predictions of soil respiration and regional carbon cycle in these arid and semiarid regions.     

Contributions of root respiration to total soil respiration before and after frost in Populus euphratica forests

Temporal changes in soil CO₂‐efflux rate was measured by a canopy‐gap method in a Populus euphratica forest located at the both sides of Tarim River banks (W China). Soil CO₂‐efflux rates in situ were correlated with key soil biotic (e.g., fungal, bacterial, and actinomycetes populations) and abiotic (e.g., soil moisture, temperature, pH, organic C) variables. Two kinds of measurement plots were selected: one under the crown of a living Populus euphratica tree and the other under a dead standing Populus euphratica tree. Diurnal variations in soil respiration in these plots were measured both before and after the occurrence of the first frost. Soil respiration of the dead standing Populus euphratica (Rd) was assumed to be a measure of heterotrophic respiration rate (Rh), and root respiration rate (Rr) was estimated as the difference between soil respiration under living (Rl) minus soil respiration under dead standing Populus euphratica. Daily variation of Rr contribution to the total soil respiration in Populus euphratica forests were analyzed before and after the frost. The contribution of root respiration to total soil respiration before and after frost varied from 22% to 45% (mean 30%) and from 38% to 50% (mean 45%), respectively. In addition, Rh was significantly correlated with soil temperature both before and after frost. In contrast, Rr was not significantly correlated with soil temperature. Change in Q₁₀ of Rr was different from that of Rh from before the frost to after the frost. Variation of Q₁₀ of Rr from before the frost to after the frost was larger than that of Q₁₀ of Rh. Thus, the results indicate that different soil respiration models are needed for Rr and Rh because different factors control the two components of soil respiration.     

Effects of microplastic polystyrene, simulated acid rain and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on Trifolium repens growth and soil microbial community composition

Microplastic pollution is a global and ubiquitous environmental problem in the oceans as well as in the terrestrial environment. We examined the fate of microplastic polystyrene (MPS) beads in experimental soil in the presence and absence of symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and simulated acid rain (SAR) to determine whether the combinations of these three factors altered the growth of white clover Trifolium repens. We found that MPS, SAR, or AMF added singly to soil did not alter T. repens growth or yields. In contrast, MPS and AMF together significantly reduced shoot biomass, while SAR and MPS together significantly reduced soil available phosphorus independent of AMF presence. Microplastic polystyrene, AMF, and SAR together significantly reduced soil NO^-₃-N. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi added singly also enriched the beneficial soil bacteria (genus Solirubrobacter), while MPS combined with AMF significantly enriched the potential plant pathogenic fungus Spiromastix. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation with MPS increased the abundance of soil hydrocarbon degraders independent of the presence of SAR. In addition, the abundance of soil nitrate reducers was increased by MPS, especially in the presence of AMF and SAR. Moreover, SAR alone increased the abundance of soil pathogens within the fungal community including antibiotic producers. These findings indicate that the coexistence of MPS, SAR, and AMF may exacerbate the adverse effects of MPS on soil and plant health.     

Exotic earthworms alter soil microbial community composition and function

Exotic earthworms can profoundly alter soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics in northern temperate forests, but the mechanisms explaining these responses are not well understood. We compared the soil microbial community (SMC) composition (measured as PLFAs) and enzyme activity between paired earthworm-invaded and earthworm-free plots in northern hardwood forests of New York, USA. We hypothesized that differences in SMCs and enzyme activity between plots would correspond with differences in soil C content and C:N ratios. Relative abundance of several bacterial (mostly gram-positive) PLFAs was higher and that of two fungal PLFAs was lower in earthworm compared to reference plots, largely because of earthworm incorporation of the organic horizon into mineral soil. In surface mineral soil earthworms increased arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and gram-positive bacterial PLFAs, and decreased fungal (mostly saprotrophic) and several bacterial (gram-negative and non-specific) PLFAs. Earthworms also increased the activities of cellulolytic relative to lignolytic enzymes in surface mineral soil, and the relationships between enzyme activities and components of the SMC suggest a substrate-mediated effect on the SMC and its metabolism of C. A highly significant relationship between components of the SMC and soil C:N also suggests that earthworms reduce soil C:N through functional and compositional shifts in the SMC. Finally, changes in AMF abundances were linked to phosphatase activity, suggesting that earthworms do not necessarily inhibit P-acquisition by AMF-associated plants in our study system. We conclude that the combined influence of earthworm-related changes in physical structure, accessibility and chemistry of organic matter, and relative abundance of certain groups of fungi and bacteria promote C metabolism, in particular by increasing the activities of cellulolytic vs. lignolytic enzymes.     

Separation of soil respiration into CO2 emission sources using 13C natural abundance in a deciduous broad-leaved forest in Japan

Abstract

In determining the soil and ecosystem carbon balance, it is necessary to distinguish between autotrophic respiration and heterotrophic respiration. We attempted to measure the contribution of CO₂ emissions from plant roots (R_RHI), from soil organic matter (R_SOM), and from litter (R_L) to CO₂ emissions from the forest floor (soil respiration; R_S) in a deciduous forest of oak (Quercus serrata Thunb.) and hornbeams (Carpinus laxiflora Sieb. et Zucc. Bl., Carpinus tschonoskii Maxim. and Carpinus japonica Bl.) on Andosols in Japan, using a ¹³C natural abundance technique. The ¹³C natural abundances of roots (δ_RHI), litter (δ_L) and SOM (δ_SOM) in the surface soil were ?28.9, ?30.1 and ?24.3‰, respectively. This means that the differences between δ_SOM and δ_RHI are large enough to calculate the contributions of R_RHI, R_SOM and R_L to R_S based on the mass balance of the CO₂ isotope ratios. R_RHI and R_SOM had close relationships with soil temperature, and R_L was influenced by soil temperature and moisture. In summer, under high soil temperatures, R_RHI and R_SOM were the predominant sources of R_S and the proportion of R_RHI to R_SOM to R_L was 51:44:5. In winter, R_L was predominant and the proportion of R_RHI to R_SOM to R_L was 20:11:69. The estimated annual emissions of R_RHI, R_SOM and R_L were 1.45, 2.10 and 1.30 Mg C ha^?1, respectively; thus, the proportion of R_RHI to R_SOM to R_L was 30:43:27 on a whole-year basis.     

Components,drivers and temporal dynamics of ecosystem respiration in a Mediterranean pine forest

To investigate the climate impacts on the different components of ecosystem respiration, we combined soil efflux data from a tree-girdling experiment with eddy covariance CO₂ fluxes in a Mediterranean maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) forest in Central Italy. 73 trees were stem girdled to stop the flux of photosynthates from the canopy to the roots, and weekly soil respiration surveys were carried out for one year. Heterotrophic respiration (R_H) was estimated from the soil CO₂ flux measured in girdled plots, and rhizosphere respiration (R_Ab) was calculated as the difference between respiration from controls (R_S) and girdled plots (R_H).Results show that the R_S dynamics were clearly driven by R_H (average R_H/R_S ratio 0.74). R_H predictably responded to environmental variables, being predominantly controlled by soil water availability during the hot and dry growing season (May–October) and by soil temperature during the wetter and colder months (November–March). High R_S and R_H peaks were recorded after rain pulses greater than 10 mm on dry soil, indicating that large soil carbon emissions were driven by the rapid microbial oxidation of labile carbon compounds. We also observed a time-lag of one week between water pulses and R_Ab peaks, which might be due to the delay in the translocation of recently assimilated photosynthates from the canopy to the root system. At the ecosystem scale, total autotrophic respiration (R_At, i.e. the sum of carbon respired by the rhizosphere and aboveground biomass) amounted to 60% of ecosystem respiration. R_At was predominantly controlled by photosynthesis, and showed high temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) only during the wet periods. Despite the fact that the study coincided with an anomalous dry year and results might therefore not represent a general pattern, these data highlight the complex climatic control of the respiratory processes responsible for ecosystem CO₂ emissions.     

Root Nonstructural Carbohydrates and Their Relationship with Autotrophic Respiration of Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda L.)

Separating soil respiration (R_s) into heterotrophic (R_H) and autotrophic (R_A) components often relies on root-severing techniques with the presumption that R_A will approach zero as root nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) supply diminishes. To test this assumption, we evaluated changes in carbon dioxide (CO₂) flux rates and NSC concentrations after severing Pinus taeda L. roots using laboratory and field approaches. After an 86-day laboratory incubation, soluble, insoluble, and total NSCs decreased by 60, 29, and 43 percent, respectively. R_S and R_A declined asymptotically, reduced by 86 and 95 percent, respectively. Correlation coefficients between R_A and soluble, insoluble, and total NSCs were 0.90, 0.69, and 0.93, respectively. In a field study, respiration stabilized after 40 days with mean rates in root-severed areas 21. ± 0.5 percent less than in undisturbed areas. This relationship between total NSCs and R_S, and the steady decline in R_S and R_A over time, validates the use of field-installed root-severing cores to measure R_H.     

Modelling soil and root respiration in a cotton field using the DNDC model

The DNDC model was able to simulate the temporal variation in soil respiration, although it underestimated the cumulative CO₂ emission by 15%. A good correlation was found between predicted and measured root respiration. However, this model is limited in its ability to simulate heterotrophic respiration which was underestimated by 59%. The sensitivity tests showed that temperature, precipitation, soil organic C content, fertilization, and irrigation had a positive effect on soil respiration.     

重庆缙云山 4 种典型林分生长季土壤呼吸特征及其与环境因子的关系

2012年4-8月,采用LI-8100开路式土壤碳通量测量系统对重庆缙云山4种典型林分（常绿阔叶林、竹林、针阔混交林和针叶林）的土壤呼吸速率进行测定,并同步测定5和10 cm土壤温度、湿度及pH值,分析4种林分土壤呼吸变化特征及其与环境因子的关系.结果表明：1）4种典型林分土壤呼吸日变化规律不同,5月、7月针阔混交林和针叶林土壤呼吸速率日波动幅度大于常绿阔叶林和竹林;2）各林分土壤呼吸速率均表现出4-7月升高而7-8月降低的月变化规律;3）土壤呼吸速率与5 cm、10 cm土壤温度均呈指数关系,常绿阔叶林的温度敏感性（5 cmQ10=2.054,10cm Q10=2.117）大于其他3种林分;4）常绿阔叶林土壤呼吸速率与土壤湿度无显著相关性,而对其他林分呈二次相关关系;5）常绿阔叶林的土壤呼吸与5 cm、10 cm土壤pH值显著相关,竹林的土壤呼吸仅与5 cm土壤pH值显著相关,其他林分未表现出显著相关关系.     

Responses of soil respiration and its components to drought stress

Purpose

Climate change is likely to increase both intensity and frequency of drought stress. The responses of soil respiration (R _s) and its components (root respiration, R _r; mycorrhizal respiration, R _m; and heterotrophic respiration, R _h) to drought stress can be different. This work aims to review the recent and current literature about the variations in R _s during the period of drought stress, to explore potential coupling processes and mechanisms between R _s and driving factors in the context of global climate change.

Results and discussion

The sensitivity of soil respiration and its components to drought stress depended on the ecosystems and seasonality. Drought stress depressed R _s in mesic and xeric ecosystems, while it stimulated R _s in hydric ecosystems. The reductions in supply and availability of substrate decreased both auto- and heterotrophic respirations, leading to the temporal decoupling of root and mycorrhizal respiration from canopy photosynthesis as well as C allocation. Drought stress also reduced the diffusion of soluble C substrate, and activities of extracellular enzymes, consequently, limited microbial activity and reduced soil organic matter decomposition. Drought stress altered Q ₁₀ values and broke the coupling between temperature and soil respiration. Under drought stress conditions, R _m is generally less sensitive to temperature than R _r and R _h. Elevated CO₂ concentration alleviated the negative effect of drought stress on soil respiration, principally due to the promotion of plant C assimilation subsequently, which increased substrate supply for respiration in both roots and soil microorganisms. Additionally, rewetting stimulated soil respiration dramatically in most cases, except for soil that experienced extreme drought stress periods. The legacy of drought stress can also regulate the response of soil respiration rate to rewetting events in terrestrial ecosystems through changing abiotic drivers and microbial community structure.

Conclusions and perspectives

There is increasing evidence that drought stress can result in the decoupling of the above- and belowground processes, which are associated with soil respiration. However, studies on the variation in rates of soil respiration and its components under different intensities and frequencies of drought stress over the ecosystems should be reinforced. Meanwhile, molecular phylogenetics and functional genomics should be applied to link microbial ecology to the process of R _s. In addition, we should quantify the relationship between soil respiration and global change parameters (such as warming and elevated [CO₂]) under drought stress. Models simulating the rates of soil respiration and its components under global climate change and drought stress should also be developed.     

Effects of long-term contrasting lime and phosphorus applications on barley grain yield,root growth and abundance of mycorrhiza

Lime and phosphorus (P) applications are common agricultural management practices. Our aim was to quantify the effects of long-term application practices on root growth and abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) under field conditions. We assessed the effects of lime and P fertilizer applications on barley yield, root growth and AMF abundance in 2016. Treatments were no, low, medium and high liming rate corresponding to application of 0, 4, 8 and 12 Mg lime ha⁻¹ every 5–9 years since 1942 combined with no or yearly application of 15.6 kg P ha⁻¹ since 1944. At harvest, grain yield, root intensity (core-break) and AMF abundance at different soil depths were estimated. Root development was monitored during early growth with minirhizotrons in treatments receiving low, medium and high liming rates and P fertilization. A quadratic model relating grain yield to liming rate estimated yields to peak at 6.4 Mg lime ha⁻¹ with yields of 4.2 and 3.2 Mg grain ha⁻¹ with and without P fertilization, respectively. Low and medium liming rates resulted in greater AMF abundance, especially in the no P treatments. During early growth in P-fertilized treatments, 77% and 65% more roots developed in the soil profile when treated with medium and high liming rate, respectively, compared to low liming rate. We conclude that long-term application of lime in soils receiving yearly P fertilization improved conditions for root growth in soil layers below 30 cm, but at the high liming rate, this did not translate into higher yield.     

Clear‐cutting and slash burning effects on soil CO2 efflux partitioning in Chinese fir and evergreen broadleaved forests in subtropical China

Clear‐cutting (CC) and slash burning (SB) are common silvicultural practices in subtropical China, yet the time‐course response of soil CO₂ efflux components to such disturbance is not well understood. This study examined the effects of CC and SB on soil CO₂ efflux components in a Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook (Chinese fir, CF) plantation and a secondary evergreen broadleaved forest (BF) located in Fujian Province, southeastern China. Aboveground litter removal and root trenching were used to estimate CO₂ fluxes from soil organic matter decomposition (R_SOM), litter decomposition (R_L), and autotrophic respiration by roots and mycorrhizae (R_R). These components were measured 5–7 times per month from 18 October 2001 to 25 December 2003 using soda lime absorption. We found that R_R, R_L and R_SOM were initially higher in CC and SB plots than controls in both forests, but these three component fluxes in disturbed plots all fell below those of the control 5–20 months after the disturbance. Also, Q₁₀ values of these components decreased following disturbance. The annual flux of each respiration component was greater under BF than CF. The contribution of R_R to soil CO₂ efflux in the control plots averaged 35% in CF and 46% in BF. R_SOM was the dominant component of soil CO₂ efflux in CC and SB plots, accounting for over 50%. Our results highlight the importance of temporal trends of the component fluxes following disturbance and contribute to a broader understanding of forest management effects on the soil C cycle.     

不同经营强度下毛竹丛枝菌根共生体对氨氧化微生物的影响

利用原位微宇宙试验将丛枝菌根(Arbuscular mycorrhiza,AM)真菌菌丝与根系区分,设置菌根室(RA)和菌丝室(AH)两个分室处理,以粗放经营(extensive management,EM)毛竹林为对照,研究集约经营(Intensive management,IM)条件下毛竹林土壤丛枝菌根共生体对氨氧...     

Nitrogen addition stimulates different components of soil respiration in a subtropical bamboo ecosystem

Soil respiration is an important carbon (C) flux of global C cycle, and greatly affected by nitrogen (N) addition in the form of deposition or fertilization. However, the effects of N addition on the different components of soil respiration are poorly understood. The aim of this study is to investigate how the components of soil respiration response to N addition and the potential mechanisms in a subtropical bamboo ecosystem. Four N treatment levels (0, 50, 150, 300 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) were applied monthly in a Pleioblastus amarus bamboo plantation since November 2007. Total soil respiration (RS_T) and soil respiration derived from litter layer (RS_L), root-free soil (RS_S), and plant roots (RS_R) were measured for one year (February 2010 to January 2011). The results showed that the mean rate of RS_T was 428 ± 11 g C m⁻² year⁻¹, and RS_L, RS_S, RS_R contributed (30.2 ± 0.7)%, (20.7 ± 0.9)%, and (49.1 ± 0.7)%, respectively. The temperature coefficients (Q₁₀) of RS_T, RS_L, RS_S, and RS_R were 2.87, 2.28, 3.09, and 3.19, respectively, in control plots. Nitrogen additions significantly increased RS_T and its three components. RS_R was stimulated by N additions through increasing fine root biomass and root metabolic rate. The positive effects of N additions on soil fertility, microbial activity, and the quality and amount of aboveground litterfall also stimulated other CO₂ production processes. In the background of increased N input, response of RS_T and components of RS_T are primarily due to the positive response of plant growth in this bamboo ecosystem.     

毛竹林地土壤团聚体稳定性及其对碳贮量影响研究

通过对集约经营毛竹林地土壤团聚体的测定,结果表明毛竹林地3个土壤层次各粒径团聚体分布特征为>5 mm的含量在土壤团粒结构中占主导地位,占总团聚体的比例为26.39%~42.38%;其次为1~5 mm含量,占14%~18%;<0.25 mm的含量最小,占2.31%~6.73%。毛竹林土壤团聚体平均重量直径平均值为0.90 mm,并且随着土壤层次的增加有逐渐增加的趋势。毛竹林地土壤总有机碳的积累与0.25~3.15 mm土壤团聚体中有机碳含量呈显著相关,与>3.15 mm和<0.25 mm团聚体有机碳含量相关不显著。毛竹林地0~20 cm土壤层中,分布在>5 mm和3.15~5 mm粒径土壤团聚体中的有机碳比例分别为14.86%和11.26%,低于20~40 cm和40~60 cm土壤。这也说明,长期集约经营毛竹林后,林地土壤有机碳含量下降的主要原因可能是>5 mm粒径土壤团聚体有机碳含量下降。     

Soluble organic C and N and their relationships with soil organic C and N and microbial characteristics in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) plantations along an elevation gradient in Central Taiwan

Purpose

Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), an important economic crop, is distributed from low- to medium-elevation mountains in Taiwan. Bamboo is a fast-growing herbaceous species with an extensive rhizome structure. With the hypothesis that the characteristics of soil organic matter and microbes might change after long-term bamboo plantation, we investigated different fractions of organic C and N as well as soil microbial biomass and activities in five moso bamboo plantations along an elevation gradient in Central Taiwan.

Materials and methods

Five soil samples (top 10 cm of soil) were collected from each bamboo plantation (600, 800, 1,000, 1,200, and 1,400 m above sea level (asl)) in January 2011. Soil was processed and analyzed for soil total C and N contents, biologically available C, potentially mineralizable N, soil microbial biomass and soil respiration (CO₂). Two extraction methods (2 M KCl and hot-water extraction) were used to estimate soil soluble organic C and N (S_bOC and S_bON) and soil inorganic N (NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^?) concentrations to evaluate the relationship with soil organic matter and microbe characteristics in bamboo plantations.

Results and discussion

Soil total C and N contents as well as soil microbial biomass and soil respiration (CO₂) of the bamboo plantations increased along the elevation gradient. Temperature changes along elevation contributed to such variations observed among the selected bamboo plantations. The S_bON in hot-water extracts was highest in the 1,200-m plantation, then in the 1,400-m plantation, and lowest in the low-elevation plantations (600, 800, and 1,000 m). However, S_bON in 2 M KCl extracts did not differ by elevation. The S_bON was strongly correlated with soil total N in both 2 M KCl and hot-water extracts, but only S_bON in hot-water extracts was strongly correlated with microbial biomass N and potentially mineralizable N. S_bOC was strongly correlated with soil total C content, microbial biomass C, and biologically available C in both 2 M KCl and hot-water extracts.

Conclusions

Soil total C and N, S_bOC and S_bON, and microbial biomass characteristics increased in the moso bamboo plantations with increasing elevation. No altitudinal difference in specific soil respiration (CO₂) rate suggested that the enhanced potentially mineralizable N and soil respiration (CO₂) in the high-elevation plantations were associated with increased microbial biomass rather than microbial activities.     

Seasonal pattern of total soil respiration in undisturbed and disturbed ecosystems of Central Himalaya

Summary The rates of CO₂ efflux were measured by an alkali absorption method (using 20 ml 0.5 N NaOH) from soils in four undisturbed sites [two evergreen oak forests, Quercus floribunda Lindl. (tilonj oak), Quercus leucotrichophora A Camus (banj oak), and two evergreen conifer forests, Cedrus deodara Loud. (deodar forest) and Pinus roxburghii Sarg. (chir pine forest)] and three disturbed sites. The sites were located between elevations of 1850 and 2360 m in the Central Himalaya. The seasonal pattern of soil respiration was similar in all the sites with a maximum during the rainy season, intermediate rates during the summer season and the lowest level of activity in winter. The rate of CO₂ efflux was higher in broadleaf than in conifer forests, and it was lowest in the disturbed sites. Among the edaphic conditions, soil moisture, N, organic C, pH, soil porosity, and root biomass positively affected total soil respiration. The proportion of root respiration to total soil respiration was higher in the disturbed sites than the undisturbed sites in winter. Conditions in the winter season were less favourable for microbial respiration than for root respiration.     

Parallel shifts in plant and soil microbial communities in response to biosolids in a semi-arid grassland

Approximately 70,150 dry Mg of biosolids from over 450 wastewater treatment facilities are applied to the semi-arid rangelands of Colorado every year. Research on semi-arid grassland responses to biosolids has become vital to better understand ecosystem dynamics and develop effective biosolids management strategies. The objectives of this study were to determine the long-term (∼12 years) effects of a single biosolids application, and the short-term (∼2 years) effects of a repeated application, on plant and microbial community structure in a semi-arid grassland soil. Specific attention was paid to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and linkages between shifts in plant and soil microbial community structures. Biosolids were surface applied to experimental plots once in 1991 (long-term plots) and again to short-term plots in 2002 at rates of 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 21, or 30 Mg ha⁻¹. Vegetation (species richness and above-ground biomass), soil chemistry (pH, EC, total C, total N, and extractable P, NO₃-N, and NH₄-N), and soil microbial community structure [ester-linked fatty acid methyl esters (EL-FAMEs)], were characterized to assess impacts of biosolids on the ecosystem. Soil chemistry was significantly affected and shifts in both soil microbial and plant community structure were observed with treatment. In both years, the EL-FAME biomarker for AMF decreased with increasing application rate of biosolids; principal components analysis of EL-FAME data yielded shifts in the structure of the microbial communities with treatment primarily related to the relative abundance of the AMF specific biomarker. Significant (p≤0.05) correlations existed among biomarkers for Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, AMF and specific soil chemical parameters and individual plant species' biomass. The AMF biomarker was positively correlated with biomass of the dominant native grass species blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis [Willd. ex Kunth] Lagasca ex Griffiths) and was negatively correlated with western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii Rydb.) biomass. This study demonstrated that applications of biosolids at relatively low rates can have significant long-term effects on soil chemistry, soil microbial community structure, and plant community species richness and structure in the semi-arid grasslands of northern Colorado. Reduced AMF and parallel shifts in the soil microbial community structure and the plant community structure require further investigation to determine precisely the sequence of influence and resulting ecosystem dynamics.