Plant functional type effects on methane uptake by soils in typical grasslands of Inner Mongolia

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1258.2011.00275

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Methane (CH₄) is an important atmospheric trace gas contributing to global warming and atmospheric chemistry. Aerated soils are a biological sink for atmospheric CH₄. Our objectives were to quantify CH₄ uptake by soils in typical grasslands of Inner Mongolia and examine the effects of plant functional type on the uptake.
Methods We used static chamber sampling and gas chromatography measurement to examine the effects of four plant functional types (PFTs) ― perennial rhizome forbs (PR), perennial bunchgrass (PB), perennial forb (PF) and annuals and biennials (AB) ― on CH₄ uptake by aerated soils.
Important findings CH₄ uptake by soils showed seasonal change related to soil water content and temperature. Over most of observed periods in 2008 and 2009, there were no significant differences in soil CH₄ uptake rates among the various PFTs. During rapid plant growth in August, however, there were significant differences in the soil CH₄ uptake rates. The soil CH₄ uptake rates were lower with PBs. AB and PF increased the uptake of CH₄ by soils, while PR and PB had little influence. Soil physico-chemical factors such as temperature, water content and gas diffusion affect CH₄uptake. Differences in CH₄ uptake rates by soils may be explained using these environmental factors affected by PFTs. With regard to trace gas, PFT has prominent effects on this ecosystem. Sub-dominant species and companion species (AB and PF), by regulating soil microbe and environmental factors, have important and irreplaceable roles on the uptake of CH₄by soils.

Key words: CH₄ oxidation, grassland ecosystem, greenhouse gas, plant community, Xilin River Basin

LIU Wei, WANG Ji-Ming, WANG Zhi-Ping. Plant functional type effects on methane uptake by soils in typical grasslands of Inner Mongolia[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2011, 35(3): 275-283.

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URL: https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/10.3724/SP.J.1258.2011.00275

https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/Y2011/V35/I3/275

Figures/Tables 6

Table 1 Combination of plant functional types (PFTs)

植物功能型数 Number of PFTs	植物功能型组合 Combination of PFTs
0 1 2 3 4	BL PR, PB, PF, AB PR + PB, PR + PF, PR + AB, PB + PF, PB + AB, PF + AB PR + PB + PF, PR + PB + AB, PR + PF + AB, PB + PF + AB CK (PR + PB + PF + AB)

Fig. 1 Seasonal variation of soil CH4 uptake of bare land (BL) and control (CK) (A) (mean ± SE, n = 3), precipitation (B), and monthly average air temperature (C). * represents significant differences (p < 0.05) in soil CH4 uptake between BL and CK.

Table 2 Repeated measures ANOVA of soil CH4 uptake affected by plant functional type (PFT) over September- November, 2008 and May-August, 2009

	F	p
植物功能型(PFT) 取样时间(D) 植物功能型×取样时间(PFT × D)	1.38 58.81 1.10	NS ** *

Fig. 2 Soil CH4 uptake of PR, PB, PF, or AB (mean ± SE, n = 3). A, 2008. B, 2009. Different letters represent significant differences (p < 0.05) in soil CH4 uptake between plant functional types. AB, annuals/biennials; PB, perennial bunchgrass; PF, perennial forbs; PR, perennial rhizome forbs.

Fig. 3 Soil CH4 uptake of two or three plant functional types (PFTs) (mean ± SE, n = 3). (A) and (B) show soil CH4 uptake in two or three PFTs, respectively. Different letters represent significant differences (p < 0.05) between treatments. AB, annuals/biennials; PB, perennial bunchgrass; PF, perennial forbs; PR, perennial rhizome forbs.

Fig. 4 Effect of plant communities with/without PR, PB, PF, or AB on soil CH4 uptake (mean ± SE, n = 24). A, B, C and D show soil CH4 uptake in the treatments of PR, PB, PF and AB, respectively. For example, plant communities with PR include CK (PR+PB+PF+AB), PR+PF+AB, PR+PB+AB, PR+PB+PF, PR+AB, PR+PF, PR+PB, and PR. While plant communities without PR include PB+PF+AB, PF+AB, PB+AB, PB+PF, AB, PF, PB, and BL. Soil CH4 uptake of two groups were compared. * represents significant differences (p < 0.05) between each other. AB, BL, CK, PB, PF, and PR see Table 1.

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