Natural variations in snow cover do not affect the annual soil CO2 efflux from a mid-elevation temperate forest.

ABSTRACT: Climate change might alter annual snowfall patterns and modify the duration and magnitude of snow cover in temperate regions with resultant impacts on soil microclimate and soil CO2 efflux (Fsoil ). We used a 5-year time series of Fsoil measurements from a mid-elevation forest to assess the effects of naturally changing snow cover. Snow cover varied considerably in duration (105-154 days) and depth (mean snow depth 19-59 cm). Periodically shallow snow cover (<10 cm) caused soil freezing or increased variation in soil temperature. This was mostly not reflected in Fsoil which tended to decrease gradually throughout winter. Progressively decreasing C substrate availability (identified by substrate induced respiration) likely over-rid the effects of slowly changing soil temperatures and determ

SUBMITTER: Schindlbacher A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4298805 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature