高浓度CO2下长白松幼苗土壤和根系呼吸

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of higher CO2 concentrations （500 and 700 μmol mol^-1） in atmosphere on total soil respiration and the contribution of root respiration to total soil respiration during seedling growth of Pinus sylvestris vat. sylvestriformis. During the four growing seasons （May-October） from 1999 to 2003, the seedlings were exposed to elevated concentrations of CO2 in open-top chambers. The total soil respiration and contribution of root respiration were measured using an LI-6400-09 soil CO2 flux chamber on June 15 and October 8, 2003. To separate root respiration from total soil respiration, three PVC cylinders were inserted approximately 30 cm deep into the soil in each chamber. There were marked diurnal changes in air and soil temperatures on June 15. Both the total soil respiration and the soil respiration without roots showed a strong diurnal pattern, increasing from before sunrise to about 14：00 in the afternoon and then decreasing before the next sunrise. No increase in the mean total soil respiration and mean soil respiration with roots severed was observed under the elevated CO2 treatments on June 15, 2003, as compared to the open field and control chamber with ambient CO2. However, on October 8, 2003, the total soil respiration and soil respiration with roots severed in the open field were lower than those in the control and elevated CO2 chambers. The mean contribution of root respiration measured on June 15, 2003, ranged from 8.3% to 30.5% and on October 8, 2003, from 20.6% to 48.6%.     

中国西北棉花根系呼吸对土壤呼吸贡献率的研究

To measure the contribution of root respiration (Rr) to total soil respiration (Rt) in arid cotton fields, eighteen plots, nine for girdling and nine control, were built in an arid cotton field in the Aksu National Experimental Station of Oasis Farmland Ecosystem, Xinjiang of China. Given the difference of soil respiration between girdled plots and non-girdled control plots, the components of soil respiration, root respiration (Rr) and respiration originating from decomposition (Rd) were divided. The temperature sensitivities of R r and R d were analyzed, respectively. The results showed that the average contribution of R r to R t in arid cotton field was about 32% during the study period. The temperature-response curve of R r differed from that of Rd . The dynamic variation of R d was more related to the change of soil temperature as compared to Rr . Rr and Rd had different responses to the variation of environment, and thus new models capable of differentiating between Rr and Rd are needed for evaluating the different factors controlling these two components of soil respiration in arid cotton field.     

日本湿润的温带草地根际和微生物呼吸对土壤CO2排放的贡献及环境影响因素

Soil CO2 efflux, root mass, and root production were investigated in a humid temperate grassland of Japan over a growing season (Apr. to Sep.) of 2005 to reveal seasonal changes of soil CO2 efflux, to separate the respective contributions of root and microbial respiration to the total soil CO2 efflux, and to determine the environmental factors that control soil respiration. Minimal microbial respiration rate was estimated based on the linear regression equations between soil CO2 efflux and root mass at different experimental sites. Soil CO2 efflux, ranging from 4.99 to 16.29 μmol CO2 m-2 s-1, depended on the seasonal changes in soil temperature. The root mass at 0--10 cm soil depth was 0.82 and 1.27 kg m-2 in Apr. and Sep., respectively. The root mass at 0--10 cm soil depth comprised 60% of the total root mass at 0--50 cm soil depth. The root productivity at 0--30 cm depth varied from 8 to 180 g m-2 month-1. Microbial and root respiration rates ranged from 1.35 to 5.51 and 2.72 to 12.06 μmol CO2 m-2 s-1, respectively. The contribution of root respiration to the total soil CO2 efflux averaged 53%, ranging from 33% to 72%. The microbial respiration rate was exponentially related to soil temperature at 10 cm depth (R2 = 0.9400, P = 0.002, n = 6), and the root respiration rate was linearly related to the root production at 0--30 cm depth (R2 = 0.6561, P = 0.042, n = 6).     

Soil physicochemical and microbial drivers of temperature sensitivity of soil organic matter decomposition under boreal forests

Soil organic matter(SOM)in boreal forests is an important carbon sink.The aim of this study was to assess and to detect factors controlling the temperature sensitivity of SOM decomposition.Soils were collected from Scots pine,Norway spruce,silver birch,and mixed forests(O horizon)in northern Finland,and their basal respiration rates at five different temperatures(from 4 to 28℃)were measured.The Q_(10) values,showing the respiration rate changes with a 10℃ increase,were calculated using a Gaussian function and were based on temperature-dependent changes.Several soil physicochemical parameters were measured,and the functional diversity of the soil microbial communities was assessed using the MicroResp?method.The temperature sensitivity of SOM decomposition differed under the studied forest stands.Pine forests had the highest temperature sensitivity for SOM decomposition at the low temperature range(0–12℃).Within this temperature range,the Q_(10) values were positively correlated with the microbial functional diversity index(H'_(mic))and the soil C-to-P ratio.This suggested that the metabolic abilities of the soil microbial communities and the soil nutrient content were important controls of temperature sensitivity in taiga soils.     

大豆生长期间的土壤呼吸

Soil respiration induced by soybean cultivation over its entire growing season and the factors influencing soil respiration were investigated to examine the seasonal pattern of soil respiration induced by soybean cultivation, explore soybean growth and photosynthesis on soil respiration, and determine the temperature dependence on soil respiration. Soil respiration in a pot experiment with and without soybean plants was sampled using the static chamber method and measured using gas chromatograph. Air temperature was a dominant factor controlling soil respiration rate in unplanted soil. Additionally, rhizosphere respiration comprised 62% to 98% of the soil respiration rate in the soybean-planted soil varying with the soybean growth stages. Harvesting aerial parts of soybean plant caused an immediate drop in the soil respiration rate at that stage. After harvesting the aerial parts of the soybean plant, a highly significant correlation between soil respiration rate and air temperature was found at the flowering stage （P 〈 0.01）, the pod stage （P 〈 0.01）, and the seed-filling stage （P 〈 0.05）. Thus, rhizosphere respiration during the soybean-growing period not only made a great contribution to soil respiration, but also determined the seasonal variation pattern of the soll respiration rate.     

挪威北部土壤微生物活性的季节变化

Seasonal development of soil microbial activity and bacterial biomass in sub-polar regions was investigated to determine the impacts of biotic and abiotic factors, such as organic matter content, temperature and moisture. The study was performed during spring thaw from three cultivated meadows and two non-cultivated forest sites near Alta, in northern Norway. Samples from all five sites showed increasing respiration rates directly after the spring thaw with soil respiration activity best related to soil organic matter content. However, distributions of bacteria] biomass showed fewer similarities to these two parameters. This could be explained by variations of litter exploitation through the biomass. Microbial activity started immediately after the thaw while root growth had a longer time lag. An influence of root development on soil microbes was proposed for sites where microorganisms and roots had a tight relationship caused by a more intensive root structure. Also a reduction of microbial activity due to soil compaction in the samples from a wheel track could not be observed under laboratory conditions. New methodological approaches of differential staining for live and dead organisms were applied in order to follow changes within the microbial community. Under laboratory conditions freeze and thaw cycles showed a damaging influence on parts of the soil bacteria. Additionally, different patterns for active vs. non-active bacteria were noticeable after freeze-thaw cycles.     

亚热带气候环境条件下不同森林类型的土壤CO2通量的研究

The flux of carbon dioxide(CO2) from soil surface presents an important component of carbon(C) cycle in terrestrial ecosystems and is controlled by a number of biotic and abiotic factors. In order to better understand characteristics of soil CO2 flux(FCO2) in subtropical forests,soil FCO2 rates were quantified in five adjacent forest types(camphor tree forest,Masson pine forest,mixed camphor tree and Masson pine forest,Chinese sweet gum forest,and slash pine forest) at the Tianjiling National Park in Changsha,Hunan Province,in subtropical China,from January to December 2010. The influences of soil temperature(Tsoil),volumetric soil water content(θsoil),soil pH,soil organic carbon(SOC) and soil C/nitrogen(N) ratio on soil FCO2 rates were also investigated. The annual mean soil FCO2 rate varied with the forest types. The soil FCO2 rate was the highest in the camphor tree forest(3.53 ± 0.51 μmol m-2s-1),followed by,in order,the mixed,Masson pine,Chinese sweet gum,and slash pine forests(1.53 ± 0.25 μmol m-2 s1). Soil FCO2 rates from the five forest types followed a similar seasonal pattern with the maximum values occurring in summer(July and August) and the minimum values during winter(December and January). Soil FCO2 rates were correlated to Tsoiland θsoil,but the relationships were only significant for Tsoil. No correlations were found between soil FCO2 rates and other selected soil properties,such as soil pH,SOC,and C/N ratio,in the examined forest types. Our results indicated that soil FCO2 rates were much higher in the evergreen broadleaved forest than coniferous forest under the same microclimatic environment in the study region.     

内蒙古荒漠化草地土壤碳、氮养分及土壤呼吸的空间异质性研究

There is a limited knowledge of spatial heterogeneity in soil nutrients and soil respiration in the semi-arid and arid grasslands of China. This study investigated the spatial differences in soil nutrients and soil respiration among three desertified grasslands and within two shrub-dominated communities on the Ordos Plateau of Inner Mongolia, China in 2006. Both soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) were significantly different (P < 0.01) among the three desertified grasslands along a degradation gradient. Within the two shrub-dominated communities, the SOC and TN contents decreased with increasing distance from the main stems of the shrub, and this “fertile island” effect was most pronounced in the surface soil. The total soil respirations during the growing season were 131.26, 95.95, and 118.66 g C m-2, respectively, for the steppe, shrub, and shrub-perennial grass communities. The coefficient of variability of soil respiration was the highest in the shrub community and lowest in the steppe community. CO2 effluxes from the soil under the canopy of shrub were significantly higher than those from the soil covered with biological crusts and the bare soil in the interplant spaces in the shrub community. However, soil respiration beneath the shrubs was not different from that of the soil in the inter-shrub of the shrub-perennial grass community. This is probably due to the smaller shrub size. In the two shrub-dominated communities, spatial variability in soil respiration was found to depend on soil water content and C:N ratio.     

南亚热带果园土壤二氧化碳释放变异性研究

Temporal variability in soil CO2 emission from an orchard was measured using a dynamic open-chamber system for measuring soil CO2 effiux in Heshan Guangdong Province, in the lower subtropical area of China. Intensive measurements were conducted for a period of 12 months. Soil CO2 emissions were also modeled by multiple regression analysis from daily air temperature, dry-bulb saturated vapor pressure, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, soil moisture, and soil temperature. Data was analyzed based on soil moisture levels and air temperature with annual data being grouped into either hot-humid season or relatively cool season based on the precipitation patterns. This was essential in order to acquire simplified exponential models for parameter estimation. Minimum and maximum daily mean soil CO2 effiux rates were observed in November and July, with respective rates of 1.98 ± 0.66 and 11.04 ± 0.96 μmol m^-2 s^-1 being recorded. Annual average soil CO2 emission （FCO2） was 5.92 μmol m^-2 s^-1. Including all the weather variables into the model helped to explain 73.9% of temporal variability in soil CO2 emission during the measurement period. Soil CO2 effiux increased with increasing soil temperature and soil moisture. Preliminary results showed that Q10, which is defined as the difference in respiration rates over a 10 ℃ interval, was partly explained by fine root biomass. Soil temperature and soil moisture were the dominant factors controlling soil CO2 effiux and were regarded as the driving variables for CO2 production in the soil. Including these two variables in regression models could provide a useful tool for predicting the variation of CO2 emission in the commercial forest Soils of South China .     

Temperature sensitivity of soil organic matter decomposition varies with biochar application and soil type

Biochar application has the potential to improve soil fertility and increase soil carbon stock, especially in tropical regions. Information on the temperature sensitivity of carbon dioxide(CO_2) evolution from biochar-amended soils at very high temperatures, as observed for tropical surface soils, is limited but urgently needed for the development of region-specific biochar management targeted to optimize biochar effects on soil functions. Here, we investigated the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration to the addition of different rates of Miscanthus biochar(0, 6.25, 12.5, and 25 Mg ha~(-1)) in two types of soils with contrasting textures. Biochar-amended soil treatments and their controls were incubated at constant temperatures of 20, 30, and 40℃. Overall, our results show that: i) considering data from all treatments and temperatures, the addition of biochar decreased soil CO_2 emissions when compared to untreated soils;ii) CO_2 emissions from biochar-amended soils had a higher temperature sensitivity than those from biochar-free soils; iii) the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration in sandy soils was higher than that in clay soils; and iv) for clay soils, relative increases in soil CO_2 emissions from biochar-amended soils were higher when the temperature increased from 30 to 40℃, while for sandy soils, the highest temperature responses of soil respiration were observed when increasing the temperature from 20 to 30℃. Together, these findings suggest a significantly reduced potential to increase soil organic carbon stocks when Miscanthus biochar is applied to tropical soils at high surface temperatures, which could be counteracted by the soil-and weather-specific timing of biochar application.     

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.     

Topographic variation in heterotrophic and autotrophic soil respiration in a tropical seasonal forest in Thailand

Soil respiration is a carbon flux that is indispensable for determining carbon balance despite variations over time and space in forest ecosystems. In Kanchanaburi, western Thailand, we measured the soil respiration rates at different slope positions—ridge (plot R), upper slope (plot U), and lower slope (plot L)—on a hill in a seasonal tropical forest [mixed deciduous forest (MDF)] to determine the seasonal and spatial variations in soil respiration on the slope. The heterotrophic (organic layer and soil) and autotrophic (root) respiration was differentiated by trenching. Soil respiration rates showed clear seasonal patterns: high and low rates in rainy and dry seasons respectively, at all plots, and tended to decrease up the slope. Soil respiration rates responded significantly to soil water content in the 0–30?cm layer, but the response patterns differed between the lower slope (plot L) and the upper slope (plots R and U): a linear model could be applied to the lower slope but exponential quadratic models to the upper slope. The annual carbon dioxide (CO₂) efflux from the forest floor was also associated with the slope position and ranged from 1908?gC?m^?2?year^?1 in plot L to 1199?gC?m^?2?year^?1 in plot R. With ascending position from plot L to R, the contribution of autotrophic respiration increased from 19.4 to 36.6% of total soil respiration, while that of the organic layer decreased from 26.2 to 9.4%. Mineral soil contributed to 46.3 to 54.4% of the total soil respiration. Soil water content was the key factor in controlling the soil respiration rate and the contribution of the respiration sources. However, the variable responses of soil respiration to soil water content create a complex distribution of soil respiration at the watershed scale.     

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.     

Soil respiration in a tropical grassland

Soil respiration throughout an annual cycle was measured at three different stands in a tropical grassland situated at Kurukshetra at 29°58' N lat. and 76°51' E long. Rates of CO₂ evolution were measured by alkali absorption using 13 cm dia × 23 cm aluminium cylinders inserted 10 cm into the ground. Both movable and permanently-fixed cylinders were used. The CO₂ evolution rates for the three stands were: Stand I (dominated by Sesbania bispinosa) 49–358 mg CO₂ m^?2 h^?1; Stand II (mixed grasses) 55–378 mg CO₂m^?2 h^?1; and Stand III (dominated by Desmostachya bipinnata) 55–448 mg CO₂ m^?2 h^?1. A positive significant relation existed between rate of CO₂ evolution and soil water content (r = 0.59?0.740), and between soil respiration and temperature (r = 0.58?0.69). A statistical model developed on the basis of the relationship between CO₂ evolution rates and certain abiotic environmental factors showed 69% comparability between the calculated and observed values of soil respiration. The contribution of root and root-associated microorganisms to total soil respiration was estimated at 42% using the relationship between root biomass and CO₂ output from movable cylinders.     

Experimental assessment of the contribution of plant root respiration to the emission of carbon dioxide from the soil

The contributions of root and microbial respiration to the total emission of CO₂ from the surface of gray forest and soddy-podzolic soils were compared under laboratory and field conditions for the purpose of optimizing the field version of the substrate-induced respiration method. The magnification coefficients of respiration upon the addition of saccharose (k _mic) were first determined under conditions maximally similar to the natural conditions. For this purpose, soil cleared from roots was put into nylon nets with a mesh size of 40 μm to prevent the penetration of roots into the nets. The nets with soil were left in the field for 7–10 days for the compaction of soil and the stabilization of microbial activity under natural conditions. Then, the values of k _mic were determined in the root-free soil under field conditions or in the laboratory at the same temperature and water content. The contribution of root respiration as determined by the laboratory version of the substrate-induced respiration method (7–36%) was lower compared to two field versions of the method (27–60%). Root respiration varied in the range of 24–60% of the total CO₂ emission from the soil surface in meadow ecosystems and in the range of 7–56% in forest ecosystems depending on the method and soil type.     

连作对杨树人工林土壤呼吸及各组分的影响

土壤呼吸是整个陆地生态系统碳循环的关键过程之一.以山东大汶河沿岸沙地不同连作代数杨树人工林(1代林、2代林和3代林)为研究对象,利用ACE自动土壤呼吸监测系统(UK),对3种林分一个生长季(4-10月)的土壤呼吸速率及温湿度进行测定,同时采用壕沟法对3种林分的土壤呼吸进行组分分离,并对土壤呼吸及各组分与土壤温湿度的关系进行模型模拟.结果表明:3种林分的土壤呼吸速率(RS)、自养呼吸速率(RA)和异养呼吸速率(RH)的月变化均为明显的单峰格局;生长季内,3种林分RA贡献率月差异明显,平均贡献率为40.04％;RS及其组分与5 cm处土壤温度存在显著指数关系,与土壤体积含水量没有相关性,土壤温度与土壤体积含水量的复合模型对土壤呼吸速率变化解释能力为80％ ～ 94％;3种林分生长季平均土壤呼吸速率分别为3.12、3.08和2.66μmol/(m2·s),3代林RS和RH均显著低于1代林和2代林.连作导致杨树人工林地土壤呼吸速率减弱,土壤理化性质和微生物量的差异是导致林分间土壤呼吸速率差异的主要原因.揭示连作对杨树人工林土壤呼吸及各组分的影响,以及作用机制,为全面探究杨树人工林连作效应及土壤碳循环,提供数据支撑.     

Soil respiration rate and its sensitivity to temperature in pasture systems of dry-tropics

Abstract

Tree clearing is a topical issue the world over. In Queensland, the high rates of clearing in the past were mainly to increase pasture production. The present research evaluates the impact of clearing on some soil biological properties, i.e. total soil respiration, root respiration, microbial respiration, and microbial biomass (C and N), and the response of soil respiration to change in temperature.

In-field and laboratory (polyhouse) experiments were undertaken. For in-field studies, paired cleared and uncleared pasture plots were selected to represent three major tree communities of the region, i.e. Eucalyptus populnea, E. melanophloia, and Acacia harpophylla. The cleared sites were chosen to represent three different time-since-clearing durations (5, 11–13, and 33 years; n=18 for cleared and uncleared plots) to determine the temporal impact of clearing on soil biological properties. Experiments were conducted in the polyhouse to study in detail the response of soil respiration to changes in soil temperature and soil moisture, and to complement in-field studies for estimating root respiration.

The average rate of CO₂ emission was 964 g CO₂/m²/yr, with no significant difference (P<0.05) among cleared and uncleared sites. Microbial respiration and microbial biomass were greater at uncleared compared with those at cleared sites. The Q ₁₀-value of 1.42 (measured for different seasons in a year) for in-field measurements suggested a small response of soil respiration to soil temperature, possibly due to the limited availability of soil moisture and/or organic matter. However, results from the polyhouse experiment suggested greater sensitivity of root respiration to temperature change than for total soil respiration. Since root biomass (herbaceous roots) was greater at the cleared than at uncleared sites, and root respiration increased with an increase in temperature, we speculate that with rising ambient temperature and consequently soil temperature, total soil respiration in cleared pastures will increase at a faster rate than that in uncleared pastures.     

森林演替和气候变暖对暖温带天然次生林植物根系呼吸的交互效应

为了揭示森林演替和气候变暖及交互过程对森林土壤自养呼吸和森林不同层次植物根系呼吸的影响,以关帝山不同演替阶段4种天然次生林(杨桦阔叶落叶林、油松针阔混交林、华北落叶松林和云杉林)为研究对象,于2016—2019年利用Li—6400便携式分析仪观测每种林型不同层次植物根系呼吸和土壤自养呼吸生长季的变化规律;同时采用温室加热法,模拟增温对土壤自养呼吸及各组分的影响。结果表明:(1)根系呼吸速率和土壤自养呼吸速率随演替的进行而降低。乔木层根系呼吸对土壤自养呼吸的贡献率随演替进行则显著上升,而灌木层和草本层的贡献率则显著下降。(2)增温显著提高了不同演替阶段自养呼吸速率,提高幅度为8.48%~8.76%,并随演替进行而升高。森林不同层次植物根系呼吸速率对增温的响应程度不同,其中增温显著提高了草本层和灌木层植物根系呼吸速率,提高幅度分别为10.88%~14.00%和8.37%~15.26%,而[JP]对乔木层植物根系呼吸速率作用则不显著。增温降低了土壤自养呼吸和乔木层根系呼吸的贡献率,则提高了草本层根系呼吸对土壤自养呼吸的贡献率。(3)增温和演替没有改变土壤自养呼吸及各组分在生长季变化规律,但演替和增温对土壤自养呼吸、草本层和灌木层植物根系呼吸有显著的耦合效应。综上所述,森林土壤自养呼吸和根系呼吸速率随演替进行具有降低的趋势,土壤自养呼吸速率、灌木层和草本层植物根系呼吸速率对增温响应程度显著,并且对演替和增温的交互过程有显著的耦合效应,为气候变暖背景下森林更新过程对森林土壤碳排放影响的研究提供数据支持和理论依据。     

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.