Stem respiration in a closed-canopy upland oak forest

Stem respiration was measured throughout 1993 on 56 mature trees of three species (Quercus alba L., Quercus prinus L., and Acer rubrum L.) in Walker Branch Watershed, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. A subset of the trees was remeasured during 1994. Diameter increments, stem temperatures and soil water were also monitored. Respiration rates in the spring and summer of 1993 tracked growth rate increments, except during a drought when growth dropped to zero and respiration increased to its highest rate. During the dormant season, rates of total stem respiration (R(t)) tended to be greater in large trees with thick sapwood but no such trend was observed during the growing season. Before and after the growing season, respiration rates correlated well with stem temperatures. Estimated values of Q(10) were 2.4 for the two oak species and 1.7 for red maple. The Q(10) values were used along with baseline respiration measurements and stem temperatures to predict seasonal changes in maintenance respiration (R(m)). In red maple, annual total R(m) accounted for 56 and 60% of R(t) in 1993 and 1994, respectively. In chestnut oak, R(m) accounted for 65 and 58% of R(t) in 1993 and 1994, respectively. In white oak, R(m) accounted for 47 and 53% of R(t) in 1993 and 1994, respectively. Extrapolating these data to the stand level showed that woody tissue respiration accounted for 149 and 204 g C m(-2) soil surface year(-1) in 1993 and 1994, respectively.     

Paired comparison of water, energy and carbon exchanges over two young maritime pine stands (Pinus pinaster Ait.): effects of thinning and weeding in the early stage of tree growth

The effects of management practices on energy, water and carbon exchanges were investigated in a young pine plantation in south-west France. In 2009-10, carbon dioxide (CO(2)), H(2)O and heat fluxes were monitored using the eddy covariance and sap flow techniques in a control plot (C) with a developed gorse layer, and an adjacent plot that was mechanically weeded and thinned (W). Despite large differences in the total leaf area index and canopy structure, the annual net radiation absorbed was only 4% lower in plot W. We showed that higher albedo in this plot was offset by lower emitted long-wave radiation. Annual evapotranspiration (ET) from plot W was 15% lower, due to lower rainfall interception and transpiration by the tree canopy, partly counterbalanced by the larger evaporation from both soil and regrowing weedy vegetation. The drainage belowground from plot W was larger by 113 mm annually. The seasonal variability of ET was driven by the dynamics of the soil and weed layers, which was more severely affected by drought in plot C. Conversely, the temporal changes in pine transpiration and stem diameter growth were synchronous between sites despite higher soil water content in the weeded plot. At the annual scale, both plots were carbon sinks, but thinning and weeding reduced the carbon uptake by 73%: annual carbon uptake was 243 and 65 g C m(-2) on plots C and W, respectively. Summer drought dramatically impacted the net ecosystem exchange: plot C became a carbon source as the gross primary production (GPP) severely decreased. However, plot W remained a carbon sink during drought, as a result of decreases in both GPP and ecosystem respiration (R(E)). In winter, both plots were carbon sources, plots C and W emitting 67.5 and 32.4 g C m(-2), respectively. Overall, this study highlighted the significant contribution of the gorse layer to mass and energy exchange in young pine plantations.     

Seasonal dynamics of soil carbon dioxide efflux and simulated rhizosphere respiration in a beech forest

Respiration of the rhizosphere in a beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forest was calculated by subtracting microbial respiration associated with organic matter decomposition from daily mean soil CO2 efflux. We used a semi-mechanistic soil organic matter model to simulate microbial respiration, which was validated against "no roots" data from trenched subplots. Rhizosphere respiration exhibited pronounced seasonal variation from 0.2 g C m(-2) day(-1) in January to 2.3 g C m(-2) day(-1) in July. Rhizosphere respiration accounted for 30 to 60% of total soil CO2 efflux, with an annual mean of 52%. The high Q10 (3.9) for in situ rhizosphere respiration was ascribed to the confounding effects of temperature and changes in root biomass and root and shoot activities. When data were normalized to the same soil temperature based on a physiologically relevant Q10 value of 2.2, the lowest values of temperature-normalized rhizosphere respiration were observed from January to March, whereas the highest value was observed in early July when fine root growth is thought to be maximal.     

黄土高原地区柠条人工林土壤呼吸

2005—2008年用红外气体分析法测定柠条人工林地的土壤呼吸。结果表明:柠条林地土壤呼吸具有明显的日变化特征,最大值出现在14:00左右,最低值出现在凌晨;柠条林地3—12月的土壤呼吸总量为814.9～1224.7gC·m-2,表现出明显的季节变化和年际变化;土壤呼吸与土壤温度呈显著指数正相关,方程的决定系数R2为0.31～0.67,由拟合的指数方程系数计算出柠条林2005,2006,2007和2008年的Q10值分别为2.02,1.70,1.76和1.75,生长季和非生长季的Q10值分别为0.64和2.11;2005和2006年土壤呼吸速率与土壤水分呈极显著线性相关(P0.01),方程的决定系数R2在0.30左右,而2007和2008年则不显著(P0.05);生长季(5—9月)土壤水分起主要作用,可以解释土壤呼吸季节变化的55%,非生长季土壤温度起主要作用,可以解释土壤呼吸季节变化的37%;4个双因子模型可以解释土壤呼吸季节变化的51%～83%。     

Response of soil respiration to a severe drought in Chinese <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus</Emphasis> plantations

Extreme droughts can adversely affect the dynamics of soil respiration in tree plantations. We used a severe drought in southwestern China as a case study to estimate the effects of drought on temporal variations in soil respiration in a plantation of Eucalyptus globulus. We documented a clear seasonal pattern in soil respiration with the highest values (100.9 mg C–CO₂ m^?2 h^?1) recorded in June and the lowest values (28.7 mg C–CO₂ m^?2 h^?1) in January. The variation in soil respiration was closely associated with the dynamics of soil water driven by the drought. Soil respiration was nearly twice as great in the wet seasons as in the dry seasons. Soil water content accounted for 83–91% of variation in soil respiration, while a combined soil water and soil temperature model explained 90–99% of the variation in soil respiration. Soil water had pronounced effects on soil respiration at the moisture threshold of 6–10%. Soil water was strongly related to changes in soil parameters (i.e., bulk density, pH, soil organic carbon, and available nitrogen). These strongly influenced seasonal variation in soil respiration. We found that soil respiration was strongly suppressed by severe drought. Drought resulted in a shortage of soil water which reduced formation of soil organic carbon, impacted soil acid–base properties and soil texture, and affected soil nutrient availability.     

中亚热带天然林改造成人工林后土壤呼吸的变化特征

【目的】研究中亚热带常绿阔叶林(天然林)改造成人工林后土壤碳排放量的变化及主要影响因子,为评估森林类型转换对土壤碳排放的影响提供科学依据。【方法】在福建农林大学西芹教学林场的常绿阔叶林及由其改造而来的38年生闽楠人工林与35年生杉木人工林中分别设置4块20 m×20 m样地,利用Li-8100土壤碳通量观测系统于2014年9月—2016年9月进行定点观测,并同期观测土壤温度、含水量、有机碳含量(SOC)、微生物生物量碳含量(MBC)、可溶性有机碳含量(DOC)、0～20 cm土层细根生物量和年凋落物量及凋落物碳氮比(C/N)。【结果】常绿阔叶林改造成闽楠(38年后)和杉木人工林(35年后),年均土壤碳排放通量由16. 22显著降为12. 71和4. 83 tC·hm^-2a^-1,分别减少21. 60%和70. 20%;各林分类型的土壤呼吸温度敏感性Q¹⁰值表现为常绿阔叶林(1. 97)<闽楠人工林(2. 03)<杉木人工林(2. 91),转换为杉木人工林后,Q¹⁰值显著升高(P<0. 05);土壤温度能分别解释常绿阔叶林、闽楠人工林与杉木人工林土壤呼吸速率变化的89. 70%、88. 50%和87. 90%,土壤呼吸速率和土壤含水量相关不显著(P>0. 05);土壤呼吸速率和SOC、MBC、DOC、年凋落物量及0～20 cm土层细根生物量均极显著正相关(P<0. 01);土壤呼吸温度敏感性指数Q¹⁰值和凋落物C/N极显著正相关(P<0. 01),而与年均土壤呼吸速率及MBC极显著负相关(P<0. 01);进一步分析发现土壤MBC和SOC含量是影响土壤呼吸速率的2个最重要因子,而凋落物C/N在影响土壤呼吸温度敏感性中的贡献最大。【结论】中亚热带地区常绿阔叶林改造成闽楠(38年)或杉木(35年)人工林后,土壤碳排放通量显著降低。林分类型转换后树种组成和林分结构发生改变,凋落物数量、质量及细根生物量显著降低,土壤SOC和MBC含量显著下降可共同导致土壤呼吸通量的下降。土壤温度是3种林分类型土壤呼吸季节变化的主导因素,而土壤总有机碳库和土壤微生物量碳库的差异是不同林分之间土壤呼吸差异的主导因素,凋落物C/N对土壤呼吸的Q¹⁰影响最大。为提高模型预测森林类型转换影响土壤碳排放的精度,应综合考虑土壤有机碳库、易变性有机碳库及底物质量的变化。     

Field measurements of root respiration indicate little to no seasonal temperature acclimation for sugar maple and red pine

Increasing global temperatures could potentially cause large increases in root respiration and associated soil CO2 efflux. However, if root respiration acclimates to higher temperatures, increases in soil CO2 efflux from this source would be much less. Throughout the snow-free season, we measured fine root respiration in the field at ambient soil temperature in a sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) forest and a red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) plantation in Michigan. The objectives were to determine effects of soil temperature, soil water availability and experimental N additions on root respiration rates, and to test for temperature acclimation in response to seasonal changes in soil temperature. Soil temperature and soil water availability were important predictors of root respiration and together explained 76% of the variation in root respiration rates in the red pine plantation and 71% of the variation in the sugar maple forest. Root N concentration explained an additional 6% of the variation in the sugar maple trees. Experimental N additions did not affect root respiration rates at either site. From April to November, root respiration rates measured in the field increased exponentially with increasing soil temperature. For sugar maple, long-term Q10 values calculated from the field data were slightly, but not significantly, less than short-term Q10 values determined for instantaneous temperature series conducted in the laboratory (2.4 versus 2.62.7). For red pine, long-term and short-term Q10 values were similar (3.0 versus 3.0). Sugar maple root respiration rates at constant reference temperatures of 6, 18 and 24 degrees C were measured in the laboratory at various times during the year when field soil temperatures varied from 0.4 to 16.8 degrees C. No relationship existed between ambient soil temperature just before sampling and root respiration rates at 6 and 18 degrees C (P = 0.37 and 0.86, respectively), and only a very weak relationship was found between ambient soil temperature and root respiration at 24 degrees C (P = 0.08, slope = 0.09). We conclude that root respiration in these species undergoes little, if any, acclimation to seasonal changes in soil temperature.     

华北土石山区刺槐和栓皮栎人工林土壤微生物数量和微生物量碳、氮研究

正截止到2014年,全国水土流失面积已高达294.91万km2,占国土总面积的30.72%[1-2]。水土流失造成生态环境脆弱,植被破坏促使水土流失加剧是区域环境恶化的主要原因之一[3]。众多研究表明,植被恢复可有效地减少水土流失,是遏制生态环境恶化、改善脆弱生态系统的有效措施[4-6]。在森林生态系统中,土壤微生物对土地利用的变化、管理措施、耕作和肥力水平等外界条件的变化十分敏感,     

华西雨屏区巨桉中龄林土壤呼吸对模拟氮沉降的响应

2009年3月至2009年11月,对华西雨屏区巨桉中龄林进行了模拟氮沉降试验,氮沉降水平分别为对照(0kg N.hm-2.a-1)、低氮(50 kg N.hm-2.a-1)、中氮(150 kgN.hm-2.a-1)和高氮(300 kgN.hm-2.a-1)。每月下旬,采用红外CO2分析法测定土壤呼吸速率,并定量地对各处理施氮(NH4NO3)。结果表明:各处理土壤呼吸速率最大值均出现在7月份,最小值出现在5月份;巨桉林土壤呼吸速率12 h平均值均表现为对照低氮中氮高氮;各处理土壤呼吸速率与10 cm土壤温度呈极显著指数正相关关系;利用温度单因素模型可以解释土壤呼吸速率的大部分;模拟氮沉降使得巨桉中龄林土壤呼吸Q10值增大,表明氮沉降增强了巨桉中龄林土壤呼吸的温度敏感性。     

林地土壤水分模型SWUF在晋西黄土高原的适用性

采用EnviroSMART土壤水分定位监测系统于2008-05-14至2008-10-11及2009-05-05至2009-08-05对晋西黄土区刺槐人工林、油松人工林(水平条整地)、天然次生林0～150cm土层的土壤水分进行实时监测。以这些监测数据为基础,分析SWUF模型参数的敏感性,进行参数率定,验证SWUF模型在晋西黄土高原水土保持林地的适用性。结果表明:SWUF模型中的蒸发参数、产流参数、非饱和水流参数属于高度敏感性参数,使用SWUF时必须对这些参数进行率定;SWUF模型对刺槐人工林20～150cm各土层、油松人工林和次生林0～150cm各土层土壤水分动态模拟效果较好,模拟值与实测值相对误差在20%以内;SWUF适用于模拟油松人工林和天然次生林各土层每日土壤含水量,也能够比较充分地模拟3种林地不同深度土壤层土壤水分的日变化趋势,但在模拟耗水量大的刺槐林表层土壤水分方面还需要改进。     

Regulation of transpirational water loss in Quercus suber trees in a Mediterranean-type ecosystem

Sap flux density in branches, leaf transpiration, stomatal conductance and leaf water potentials were measured in 16-year-old Quercus suber L. trees growing in a plantation in southern Portugal to understand how evergreen Mediterranean trees regulate water loss during summer drought. Leaf specific hydraulic conductance and leaf gas exchange were monitored during the progressive summer drought to establish how changes along the hydraulic pathway influence shoot responses. As soil water became limiting, leaf water potential, stomatal conductance and leaf transpiration declined significantly. Predawn leaf water potential reflected soil water potential measured at 1-m depth in the rhizospheres of most trees. The lowest predawn leaf water potential recorded during this period was -1.8 MPa. Mean maximum stomatal conductance declined from 300 to 50 mmol m(-2) s(-1), reducing transpiration from 6 to 2 mmol m(-2) s(-1). Changes in leaf gas exchange were attributed to reduced soil water availability, increased resistances along the hydraulic pathway and, hence, reduced leaf water supply. There was a strong coupling between changes in soil water content and stomatal conductance as well as between stomatal conductance and leaf specific hydraulic conductance. Despite significant seasonal differences among trees in predawn leaf water potential, stomatal conductance, leaf transpiration and leaf specific hydraulic conductance, there were no differences in midday leaf water potentials. The strong regulation of changes in leaf water potential in Q. suber both diurnally and seasonally is achieved through stomatal closure, which is sensitive to changes in both liquid and vapor phase conductance. This sensitivity allows for optimization of carbon and water resource use without compromising the root-shoot hydraulic link.     

Water-use strategies in two co-occurring Mediterranean evergreen oaks: surviving the summer drought

In the Mediterranean evergreen oak woodlands of southern Portugal, the main tree species are Quercus ilex ssp. rotundifolia Lam. (holm oak) and Quercus suber L. (cork oak). We studied a savannah-type woodland where these species coexist, with the aim of better understanding the mechanisms of tree adaptation to seasonal drought. In both species, seasonal variations in transpiration and predawn leaf water potential showed a maximum in spring followed by a decline through the rainless summer and a recovery with autumn rainfall. Although the observed decrease in predawn leaf water potential in summer indicates soil water depletion, trees maintained transpiration rates above 0.7 mm day(-1) during the summer drought. By that time, more than 70% of the transpired water was being taken from groundwater sources. The daily fluctuations in soil water content suggest that some root uptake of groundwater was mediated through the upper soil layers by hydraulic lift. During the dry season, Q. ilex maintained higher predawn leaf water potentials, canopy conductances and transpiration rates than Q. suber. The higher water status of Q. ilex was likely associated with their deeper root systems compared with Q. suber. Whole-tree hydraulic conductance and minimum midday leaf water potential were lower in Q. ilex, indicating that Q. ilex was more tolerant to drought than Q. suber. Overall, Q. ilex seemed to have more effective drought avoidance and drought tolerance mechanisms than Q. suber.     

Interactive effects of temperature and precipitation on soil respiration in a temperate maritime pine forest

Soil respiration (SR) was monitored periodically throughout 2001 in a Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stand located in the Belgian Campine region. As expected for a temperate maritime forest, temperature was the dominant control over SR during most of the year. However, during late spring and summer, when soil water content (SWC) was limiting, SR was insensitive to temperature (Q(10) = 1.24). We observed that during prolonged rain-free periods, when SWC was less than 15% (v/v), SR decreased dramatically (up to 50%) and SWC took over control of SR. During such drought periods, however, rain events sometimes stimulated SR and restored temperature control over SR, even though SWC in the mineral soil was low. We hypothesize that restoration of temperature control occurred only when rain events adequately rewetted the uppermost soil layers, where most of the respiratory activity occurred. To quantify the rewetting capacity of rain events, an index (I(w)) was designed that incorporated rainfall intensity, time elapsed since the last rain event, and atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (a proxy for evaporative water losses). To simulate SR fluxes, a model was developed that included the effects of soil temperature and, under drought and non-rewetting conditions (I(w) and SWC < threshold), an SWC response function. The model explained 95% of the temporal variability in SR observed during summer, whereas the temperature function alone explained only 73% of this variability. Our results revealed that, in addition to temperature and SWC, rain plays a role in determining the total amount of carbon released from soils, even in a maritime climate.     

Fruit development, not GPP, drives seasonal variation in NPP in a tropical palm plantation

We monitored seasonal variations in net primary production (NPP), estimated by allometric equations from organ dimensions, gross primary production (GPP), estimated by the eddy covariance method, autotrophic respiration (R(a)), estimated by a model, and fruit production in a coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) plantation located in the sub-tropical South Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu. Net primary production of the vegetative compartments of the trees accumulated steadily throughout the year. Fruits accounted for 46% of tree NPP and showed large seasonal variations. On an annual basis, the sum of estimated NPP (16.1 Mg C ha(-1) year(-1)) and R(a) (24.0 Mg C ha(-1) year(-1)) for the ecosystem (coconut trees and herbaceous understory) closely matched GPP (39.0 Mg C ha(-1) year(-1)), suggesting adequate cross-validation of annual C budget methods. However, seasonal variations in NPP + R(a) were smaller than the seasonal variations in GPP, and maximum tree NPP occurred 6 months after the midsummer peak in GPP and solar radiation. We propose that this discrepancy reflects seasonal variation in the allocation of dry mass to carbon reserves and new plant tissue, thus affecting the allometric relationships used for estimating NPP.     

不同林龄的木麻黄林下土壤异养呼吸特征

以中国亚热带木麻黄沿海防护林为研究对象,在2006年5月-2007年4月,利用LI-8100土壤呼吸自动观测系统对不同林龄（幼林、中林、成林）木麻黄人工林生态系统的土壤异养呼吸特征进行了监测。结果表明,不同林龄木麻黄林地土壤异养呼吸季节动态均呈单峰曲线,最大值出现在6～7月份,最小值则出现在12～1月份。土壤温度和水分对土壤异养呼吸的季节变化存在显著影响,并有明显的交互作用,进行单因素方差分析发现,土壤异养呼吸季节变化与5cm深的土温存在着较好的指数相关关系（p〈0.05）,与土壤表层含水量存在较好的线性相关关系（p〈0.05）。双因素模型模拟结果显示,5cm土温和土壤表层含水量能够共同解释土壤异养呼吸变异的68.9%～91.9%（p〈0.05）。不同林龄下土壤异养呼吸速率差异显著（p〈0.05）,其平均土壤异养呼吸速率呈现为中林〉成林〉幼林。随着林龄的增大,土壤异养呼吸对土壤温度的敏感性增强。土壤异养呼吸对土壤总呼吸的贡献在幼林、中林、成林中分别达到71.89%、71.02%和73.53%。幼林、中林、成林样地土壤异养呼吸CO2年释放量分别为29.072、38.964和30.530t&#183;hm^-2&#183;a^-1。     

Stomatal patchiness in the Mediterranean holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) under water stress in the nursery and in the forest

The evergreen holm oak Quercus ilex L. is the most representative tree in Mediterranean forests. Accurate estimation of the limiting factors of photosynthesis for Q. ilex and the prediction of ecosystem water-use efficiency by mechanistic models can be achieved only by establishing whether this species shows heterogenic stomatal aperture, and, if so, the circumstances in which this occurs. Here, we collected gas-exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence data in Q. ilex leaves from a nursery to measure the effects of stomatal oscillations on PSII quantum yield (Φ(PSII)) under water stress. Stomatal conductance (g(s)) was used as an integrative indicator of the degree of water stress. Images of chlorophyll fluorescence showed heterogeneous Φ(PSII) when g(s) was <50 mmol H(2)O m(-2) s(-1), representative of severe drought and corresponding to a container capacity <45%. Stomatal patchiness was related to a coefficient of variation (CV) of Φ(PSII) values >2.5%. A parallel study in the forest confirmed heterogeneous Φ(PSII) values in leaves in response to declining water availability. Three kinds of Q. ilex individuals were distinguished: those resprouting after a clear-cut (resprouts, R); intact individuals growing in the same clear-cut area as resprouts (controls, C); and intact individuals in a nearby, undisturbed area (forest controls, CF). Patchiness increased in C and CF in response to increasing drought from early May to late July, whereas in R, Φ(PSII) values were maintained as a result of their improved water relations since the pre-existing roots were associated with a smaller aerial biomass. Patchiness was related to a % CV of Φ(PSII) values >4 and associated in the summer with mean g(s) values of 30 mmol H(2)O m(-2) s(-1). Under milder drought in spring, Φ(PSII) patchiness was less strictly related to g(s) variations, pointing to biochemical limitants of photosynthesis. The occurrence of heterogenic photosynthesis caused by patchy stomatal closure in Q. ilex during severe drought should be taken into account in ecosystem modelling in which harsher water stress conditions associated with climate change are predicted.     

环剥对毛白杨树干表面CO2通量及其温度敏感性的影响

【目的】探明光合产物供应状况对树干表面CO2通量及其温度敏感性的影响机制。【方法】以10年生毛白杨人工林为研究对象,采用随机区组试验设计,通过环剥改变林木的光合产物供应状况,连续监测环剥点上部(AG)和下部(BG)的树干表面CO2通量(Es)和树干温度(Tstem)并拟合其温度敏感性(Q10),同时测定AG和BG非结构性碳水化合物含量的动态变化,比较生长季和非生长季的Es及其Q10对底物变化的不同响应。【结果】1)相比于对照树木(NG),环剥处理30天后,环剥导致生长季AG的Es升高57%和BG的Es降低43%,但在非生长季NG、AG和BG的Es差异不明显。2)环剥降低生长季AG和BG的可溶性糖浓度29%和15%,而非生长季环剥导致AG和BG的可溶性糖浓度分别降低15%和增加10%。3)不同季节Es和Tstem均存在较好的指数函数关系,但环剥会降低AG和BG的Tstem对Es变化解释率。4)环剥提高生长季和非生长季AG的温度敏感性(Q10)和树干基础呼吸速率(R15),但却同时降低BG的Q10和R15。【结论】环剥阻断了光合产物的输入,从而改变树体环剥点上、下部的可溶性糖含量,最终导致环剥点上部的树干表面CO2通量及其温度敏感性上升,而环剥点下部的树干表面CO2通量及其温度敏感性下降。毛白杨树干表面CO2通量及其温度敏感性对环剥的响应在不同季节(生长季和非生长季)存在明显差异。     

Mapping the effect of spatial and temporal variation in climate and soils on Eucalyptus plantation production with 3-PG,a process-based growth model

In the wet tropics, near the Atlantic Coast of Brazil, drought may reduce plantation yields by as much one-third over a six-to-seven-year rotation. For land owners, annual variation in production cannot be estimated with empirical models. In this paper, we examine whether the process-based growth model, 3-PG is sufficiently sensitive to climatic variation to provide a virtual record of changes in growing stock across 180,000 ha eucalypt plantation estate. We first mapped variation in climate and soil properties, and then ran simulations for the current planted forest with ages varying from one to seven years. Model predictions of stand volume and mean tree diameter agreed closely with measurements acquired on 60 reference plots monitored over the test period; the prediction of mean annual increment (MAI) was less reliable. Available soil water (ASW) and leaf area index (LAI) were also measured and compared with the model estimations. Vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and ASW accounted for most of the variation in yields. We conclude that this spatial modelling approach offers a reasonable alternative to extensive ground surveys, particularly when climatic variation extends beyond the historical average for a region.     

Soil respiration in a mixed temperate forest and its contribution to total ecosystem respiration

Soil respiration (SR) was measured with an infrared gas analyzer in nine plots representative of the heterogeneous vegetation in a mixed coniferous-deciduous forest in the Belgian Campine region. Selected plots included the two most representative overstory species (Pinus sylvestris L. and Quercus robur L.) in combination with the most representative understory species of the forest. A model that includes temperature and water as the main controlling variables was fitted to the data. We found large spatial variability in SR among plots, with typically lower fluxes under the coniferous overstory than under the deciduous overstory (means of 4.8 +/- 0.4 and 8.8 +/- 0.5 Mg C ha(-1) year(-1), respectively). Total annual soil carbon (C) emissions were estimated by weighting fluxes from different types of vegetation according to their relative contribution to the footprint area of the eddy covariance flux measurement. The relative contribution of the two main tree species to the footprint-weighted total SR varied among seasons with the more abundant coniferous overstory contributing the most to total SR during most of the year. Nonetheless, during summer, the contribution of deciduous plots to total SR was disproportionally high because of the more pronounced seasonality of belowground metabolic activity. Net ecosystem carbon dioxide exchange was measured by eddy covariance, and we estimated total ecosystem respiration (TER) with footprint-constrained nighttime fluxes. Mean total annual SR and TER were 6.1 +/- 0.11 and 9.1 +/- 1.15 Mg C ha(-1) year(-1), respectively. The 95% confidence interval of the ratio of annual SR:TER ranged from 0.58 to 0.76, with a mean of 0.67. The contribution of SR to TER tended to vary seasonally, with minimum contributions during summer (less than 50% of TER) and maximum contributions during winter (about 94% of TER).     

Seasonal and temperature dependence of photosynthesis and respiration for two co-occurring broad-leaved tree species with contrasting leaf phenology

We measured the seasonal and temperature responses of leaf photosynthesis and respiration of two co-occurring native New Zealand tree species with contrasting leaf phenology: winter-deciduous fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata J. R. Forst & G. Forst) and annual evergreen wineberry (Aristotelia serrata J. R. Forst & G. Forst). There was no difference in the amount of nitrogen per unit leaf area (Narea, range 40-160 mmol m-2, P = 0.18) or specific leaf area (S, range 8-27 m2 kg-1, P = 0.87) in summer leaves of wineberry or fuchsia. The amount of nitrogen per unit leaf area and S varied significantly with height of leaves in the canopy for both species (r2 range 0.61-0.87). Parameters describing the maximum rates of rubisco carboxylation (Vcmax) and electron transport (Jmax) were related significantly to Narea, and were 60% higher on average in spring and summer leaves than in autumn and winter leaves for both species. The seasonal effect remained significant (P < 0.001) when Narea was included in a regression model, indicating that seasonal changes were not only due to changes in Narea. Values for Vcmax and Jmax were 30% lower in wineberry leaves than in fuchsia leaves on average, although the difference ranged from 15% in summer leaves to 39% in autumn leaves. Activation energies describing the temperature dependence of Vcmax and Jmax in wineberry were 111 and 114% of corresponding values for fuchsia (Ea (Vcmax) = 39.1 kJ mol-1, Ea (Jmax) = 32.9 kJ mol-1). Respiration at night was the same (P = 0.34) at 10 degrees C for both species (R10 = 0.7 micromol m-2 s-1), although activation energies (E0) were higher in wineberry than in fuchsia (47.4 and 32.9 kJ mol-1 K-1, respectively). These results show that rates of photosynthesis are higher in winter-deciduous fuchsia than in annual evergreen wineberry.