Variation in Q10 of soil respiration due to biophysical factors in forest ecosystems

Abstract

Background: Sensitivity of forests to atmospheric warming is greater when compared with other types of landuse. Evaluation on response of soil respiration to increase in temperature is valuable as forest soils emits 75 to 77 PgC yr-1. Sensitivity of soil respiration to climate change varies from a forest to another forests, therefore evaluation of Q10 is necessary to provide an unbiased result. Results: In the present compilation it was found that as latitude increases Q10 of forests rises and it correlated negatively with mean annual temperature (MAT) and mean annual precipitation (MAP). The amount of soil organic carbon (SOC) does not correlate with Q10 however, higher amount of recalcitrant C and associated microbial population in forest soils at higher latitudes as a result of low MAT and MAP is an important factor in the elevated response of Q10. Conclusions: The quality of SOC and not the quantity of SOC is an important component in estimating sensitivity of soil respiration to increase in temperature in different forests.

Keywords

• boreal
• latitude
• subtropical
• temperate
• tropical