www.nature.com/scientificreports

OPEN

received: 21 May 2015 accepted: 17 November 2015 Published: 16 December 2015

Are variations in heterotrophic soil respiration related to changes in substrate availability and microbial biomass carbon in the subtropical forests? Hui Wei1,*, Xiaomei Chen2,*, Guoliang Xiao1,5, Bertrand Guenet3, Sara Vicca4 & Weijun Shen1 Soil temperature and moisture are widely-recognized controlling factors on heterotrophic soil respiration (Rh), although they often explain only a portion of Rh variability. How other soil physicochemical and microbial properties may contribute to Rh variability has been less studied. We conducted field measurements on Rh half-monthly and associated soil properties monthly for two years in four subtropical forests of southern China to assess influences of carbon availability and microbial properties on Rh. Rh in coniferous forest was significantly lower than that in the other three broadleaf species-dominated forests and exhibited obvious seasonal variations in the four forests (P 

Are variations in heterotrophic soil respiration related to changes in substrate availability and microbial biomass carbon in the subtropical forests?

Soil temperature and moisture are widely-recognized controlling factors on heterotrophic soil respiration (Rh), although they often explain only a por...
NAN Sizes 0 Downloads 10 Views