Carbon cycling in a mixed deciduous forest floor

Journal Article · · Ecology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1935618· OSTI ID:7086981

Edwards, N T; Harris, W F

A study of carbon cycling within the floor of a mixed deciduous forest included estimates of litterfall, litter standing crop, root turnover, lateral root standing crop, and measurements of gaseous carbon losses from the various components. Annual carbon inputs to the system were 161 g C.m/sup -2/ as litterfall and 733 g C.m/sup -2/ as small roots (less than 0.5 cm diam). Mean annual standing pools were: 01 litter 126 g C.m/sup -2/, 02 litter lll g C.m/sup -2/, small roots 340 g C.m/sup -2/, large roots 395 g C.m/sup -2/, and soil detritus 12,850 g C.m/sup -2/. Annual total carbon efflux, measured in situ with an open airflow infrared gas analysis system was 1,065 g C.m/sup -2/. Of this total, 35% was accounted for by respiration of live roots, 42.2% from root decay, 10.9% from 01 litter, and 9.7% from 02 litter. The remaining 2.2% is within the range likely associated with catabolism of root exudates and soil organic detritus. These component estimates were based on respiration rates of the individual components using a differential respirometer.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
• OSTI ID: 7086981
• Journal Information: Ecology; (United States), Vol. 58:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CARBON
ECOLOGY
FOREST LITTER
GROUND WATER
PLANTS
RESPIRATION
ROOTS
SOILS
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
TREES
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOMASS
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
NONMETALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
WATER
510100* - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (-1989)