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Abstract
Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling within an open brush site, a sacaton (
Sporobolus wrightii) grass and a mesquite (
Prosopis velutina) grove, in the riparian zone was closely linked to the yearly litter N inputs. Yearly mesquite litter fall for 2 yr was remarkably similar and averaged 4.0 g N m
-2 and 65 g C m
-2 soil and resulted in higher soil C content compared to other riparian vegetation. The riparian soils held 7,000 metric tons more C than an adjacent nonriparian area suggesting the riparian zone processes result in a sink for atmospheric C. Water is essential for ecosystem function, and loss of water from the San Pedro River will severely impact the C sink in the riparian area.
Parent Publication
Keywords
Sporobolus wrightii,
Prosopis velutina,
soil,
carbon,
nitrogen,
cycling,
riparian areas,
riparian vegetation,
plant litter,
gases,
San Pedro River (Mexico and Ariz)
Citation
Martens, Dean A.; McLain, Jean E. T. 2005. Climate mitigation potential of the San Pedro River riparian zone. Gottfried, Gerald J.; Gebow, Brooke S.; Eskew, Lane G.; Edminster, Carleton B., comps. Connecting mountain islands and desert seas: biodiversity and management of the Madrean Archipelago II. Proc. RMRS-P-36. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 491-495
