Nitrogen oxide emissions from soils following clearing of secondary tropical forest
- USDA Forest Service, Rio Piedras (Puerto Rico)
Each year 20 to 60 million ha of tropical land are cleared and burned in preparation for shifting cultivation or permanent agricultural use. We observed nitrogen oxide fluxes from secondary forest soils on two soil types, a fertile Andisol and a less fertile Inceptisol. Monthly sampling began in July 1993. Following forest clearing in February and March 1994 we sampled more frequently to observe variations associated with the stages of clearing. Emissions from soils under secondary forest averaged 1.1 ng-N cm{sup {minus}2} h{sup {minus}1} for NO and 1.5 ng-N cm{sup {minus}2}h{sup {minus}1} for N{sub 2}O with no significant difference between the two soil types. After cutting, while vegetation dried, fluxes of N{sub 2}O and NO increased. Both NO and N{sub 2}O emissions peak immediately after burning (38 ng-N cm{sup {minus}2}h{sup {minus}1} for No and 123 ng-N cm{sup {minus}2}h{sup {minus}1} for N{sub 2}O on the Andisol and 41 nl-N cm{sup {minus}2}h{sup {minus}1} for N{sub 2}FO on the Inceptisol). Peak emissions decline within 2 days after burning. Post burn fluxes are higher than emissions from adjacent forest sites. Soil nitrogen oxide emission is a minor component of nitrogen loss following secondary tropical forest clearing.
- OSTI ID:
- 107110
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9507129--
- Journal Information:
- Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, Journal Name: Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 76; ISSN BECLAG; ISSN 0012-9623
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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