Experimental soil warming effects on CO2 and CH4 flux from a low elevation spruce-fir forest soil in Maine, USA

Lindsey Rustad; Ivan J. Fernandez

doi:10.1046/j.1365-2486.1998.00169.x

Treesearch

Experimental soil warming effects on CO₂ and CH₄ flux from a low elevation spruce-fir forest soil in Maine, USA

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Lindsey Rustad, Ivan J. Fernandez

Year:

1998

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2486.1998.00169.x

Source:

Global Change Biology

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Abstract

The effect of soil warming on CO₂ and CH₄flux from a spruce-fir forest soil was evaluated at the Howland Integrated Forest Study site in Maine, USA from 1993 to 1995. Elevated soil temperatures (~5 °C) were maintained during the snow-free season (May-November) in replicated 15 × 15-m plots using electric cables buried 1-2 cm below the soil surface; replicated unheated plots served as the control. CO₂ evolution from the soil surface and soil air CO₂ concentrations both showed clear seasonal trends and significant (P < 0.0001) positive exponential relationships with soil temperature. Soil warming caused a 25-40% increase in CO₂ flux from the heated plots compared to the controls. No significant differences were observed between heated and control plot soil air CO₂ concentrations which we attribute to rapid equilibration with the atmosphere in the O horizon and minimal treatment effects in the B horizon. Methand fluxes were highly variable and showed no consistent trends with treatment.

Keywords

carbon dioxide, climate change, forest soils, methane, soil respiration, soil warming

Citation

Rustad, Lindsey E.; Fernandez, Ivan J. 1998. Experimental soil warming effects on CO₂ and CH₄ flux from a low elevation spruce-fir forest soil in Maine, USA. Global Change Biology. 4(6): 597-605. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2486.1998.00169.x.