Effects of abiotic variables and root biomass on CO2 evolution and carbon balance after burning in a semi-arid grassland ecosystem

Sundaravalli V. Meenakshi, . and Paliwal Kailash, . Effects of abiotic variables and root biomass on CO2 evolution and carbon balance after burning in a semi-arid grassland ecosystem. pp. 494-504. ISSN 0128-1283

Soil respiration rates and carbon balance were estimated in a semi-arid grassland ecosystem at Madurai India. The alkali absorption method was used to measure carbon dioxide evolution rates from the soil. Annual carbon balance was estimated on the basis of litter production litter disappearance and CO2- C output. Maximum soil respiration rates were 120 mg CO2 m2 h1 in the burned and 183 mg CO2 m2 h1 in the unburned grasslands. Positive correlations were observed between CO2 rates and soil temperature litter moisture and soil moisture. Among the three variables significant positive correlation (p 0.001 n12) was observed between soil moisture and soil respiration rates in both the grasslands. Multiple regression analysis revealed that 73 to 85 variability in soil respiration rates was due to the combined effect of soil moisture litter moisture and soil temperature. Mean annual carbon output from the soil was 252 and 310 g cm2 y 1 in the burned and unburned grasslands respectively. CO2 - C output by soil respiration exceeded the input of carbon through litter production by 2.76 to 8.27 and was 3.09 to 9.49 higher than the estimated loss of carbon through litter disappearance.

Full text available from: Official URL: http://www.frim.gov.my/v1/JTFSOnline/jtfs/v10n4/49...

Abstract

Soil respiration rates and carbon balance were estimated in a semi-arid grassland ecosystem at Madurai India. The alkali absorption method was used to measure carbon dioxide evolution rates from the soil. Annual carbon balance was estimated on the basis of litter production litter disappearance and CO2- C output. Maximum soil respiration rates were 120 mg CO2 m2 h1 in the burned and 183 mg CO2 m2 h1 in the unburned grasslands. Positive correlations were observed between CO2 rates and soil temperature litter moisture and soil moisture. Among the three variables significant positive correlation (p 0.001 n12) was observed between soil moisture and soil respiration rates in both the grasslands. Multiple regression analysis revealed that 73 to 85 variability in soil respiration rates was due to the combined effect of soil moisture litter moisture and soil temperature. Mean annual carbon output from the soil was 252 and 310 g cm2 y 1 in the burned and unburned grasslands respectively. CO2 - C output by soil respiration exceeded the input of carbon through litter production by 2.76 to 8.27 and was 3.09 to 9.49 higher than the estimated loss of carbon through litter disappearance.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Semiarid zones
AGROVOC Term:	Grasslands
AGROVOC Term:	Burning
AGROVOC Term:	Roots
AGROVOC Term:	Biomass
AGROVOC Term:	Soil respiration
AGROVOC Term:	Grassland soils
AGROVOC Term:	Carbon dioxide
AGROVOC Term:	Carbon
AGROVOC Term:	Soil water
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 06:27
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/22567

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