Stem CO₂ Efflux as an Indicator of Forests’ Productivity in Relict Juniper Woodlands (<i>Juniperus thurifera</i> L.) of Southern Spain

Abstract

There are considerable uncertainties about the C cycle in semi-arid ecosystems. Hence, studies that have focused on Juniperus in Mediterranean woodlands are non-existent. This study provides a survey of the effect of the juniper woodland type (young and mature woodlands; joint effect of maturity and forest productivity) on stem respiration. We checked the seasonal variation of stem respiration, evaluating the effects of stem temperature on stem CO2 efflux. For this, we measured the stem CO2 efflux (µmol CO2 m−2 s−1) over the four seasons on 16 junipers using LI-6400 equipment. The results showed that in the more productive site (young woodland), the stem CO2 efflux was higher. This variable followed a clear seasonal trend, being higher during the spring and progressively decreasing in cold periods. In both juniper woodlands, and especially in the older forests, the Q10 coefficients were low (10 was significantly higher in young juniper trees. Thus, stem CO2 efflux was an indicator of the growth in this juniper woodland that is well adapted to a semi-arid climate.

Keywords

• stem respiration
• Spanish juniper
• thermophilic woodlands
• temperature coefficient
• Q₁₀
• slow-growing species