Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2010, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (5): 526-534.DOI: 10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2010.05.006

Special Issue: 碳水能量通量

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Analysis of soil CO2 efflux in Populus and Ulmus pumila planting shelterbelts in arid region, China

ZHANG Li-Hua1,2, CHEN Ya-Ning2,*(), ZHAO Rui-Feng3, LI Wei-Hong2, XIE Zhong-Kui1   

  1. 1Gaolan Experiment Station for Ecology and Agriculture Research, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
    2Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology and Desert Environment, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, ürümqi 830011, China
    3College of Geography and Environment Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
  • Received:2009-08-14 Accepted:2009-12-10 Online:2010-08-14 Published:2010-05-01
  • Contact: CHEN Ya-Ning

Abstract:

Aims Our objective was to examine the effects of temperature, soil water content and photosynthesis on soil respiration in Populus and Ulmus pumila planting shelterbelts in China’s Junngar Basin.

Methods Soil respiration was measured during the growing seasons in 2005 and 2006 using an automated CO2 efflux system (LI-8100). Air temperature (at 50 cm in height) and soil temperature (every 5 cm from 0 to 50 cm depth) were monitored at three points adjacent to the chamber using a digital thermometer (WMY-01C, Huachen Medical Instrument Inc., Shanghai, China) at each site. Gravimetric soil moisture at 0-5, 5-15, 15-30, and 30-50 cm depths at three points were measured using the oven-drying method at 105 °C for 48 h.

Important findings Soil respiration displayed irregular fluctuation of daytime pattern and significant single-peaked curve of seasonal pattern in the two woodlands. Seasonally, soil respiration was characterized by a maximum in July or August and a minimum in October or May, following the change of soil temperature. The rate of soil respiration was significantly higher in Populus woodland than that in U. pumila woodland with mean rates of 3.71 and 1.82 μmol CO2·m-2·s-1in two growing seasons, respectively. Soil respiration was significantly correlated with temperature in exponential equation, but uncorrelated with soil water content in the two woodlands. Soil temperature at 50 and 30 cm depths could explain 78.5% and 64.4% of seasonal variations of soil respiration in Populus woodland and U. pumila woodland, respectively, which confirms the common explanation by temperature and soil water content. The difference in soil respiration between the woodlands was influenced by growth state of trees, photosynthesis and soil salinity. Our results suggested that there was significant seasonal variation of soil respiration in oasis shelterbelts in the arid region and soil temperature was the main regulating factor.

Key words: hydrothermal factor, planting shelterbelts, soil carbon cycle, temperate desert area, Xinjiang