Belowground cycling of carbon in forests and pastures of eastern Amazonia

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Global Biogeochemical Cycles

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/95GB02148· OSTI ID:244069

Trumbore, S E ^[1]; Davidson, E A; Nepstad, D C ^[2]

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1. Univ. of California, Irvine, CA (United States)
2. Woods Hole Research Center, MA (United States); and others

Measurements of carbon stocks and fluxes in Amazon soils were used to model subsurface carbon cycling for the purpose of predicting carbon fluxes associated with deforestation and subsequent pasture management. Isotopic measurement of soil organic matter and soil carbon dioxide, measurements of aboveground and belowground carbon inputs, and estimates of carbon dioxide production as a function of soil depth were incorporated into a model describing turnover times of years, decades, and more than centuries. In degraded pastures, reduced carbon inputs to the soil were observed to cause a reduction in soil carbon inventory and delta carbon 14. Increases in carbon and carbon 14 were observed in managed pastures, which were fertilized and planted with productive grasses, over forest values. Predicted carbon losses from destruction of forest roots more than one meter deep in the soil partially offset carbon inventory increases in the upper meter of managed pasture soils. The major changes in soil carbon inventory after implementation of land management occur within the first 10 years. Due to this short turnover time, land management is an important factor in determining the effects of land use change on the global carbon budget. 54 refs., 7 figs., 5 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 244069
• Journal Information: Global Biogeochemical Cycles, Journal Name: Global Biogeochemical Cycles Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 9; ISSN GBCYEP; ISSN 0886-6236
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BRAZIL
CARBON CYCLE
CULTIVATION
DEFORESTATION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
LAND USE
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PASTURES
ROOT ABSORPTION
SOILS
TRANSLOCATION