Soil moisture influence on the interannual variation in temperature sensitivity of soil organic carbon mineralization in the Loess Plateau

oleh: Y. J. Zhang, Y. J. Zhang, S. L. Guo, S. L. Guo, S. L. Guo, M. Zhao, L. L. Du, R. J. Li, J. S. Jiang, R. Wang, N. N. Li

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: Copernicus Publications 2015-06-01

Deskripsi

Temperature sensitivity of soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization (i.e., <i>Q</i><sub>10</sub>) determines how strong the feedback from global warming may be on the atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> concentration; thus, understanding the factors influencing the interannual variation in <i>Q</i><sub>10</sub> is important for accurately estimating local soil carbon cycle. In situ SOC mineralization rate was measured using an automated CO<sub>2</sub> flux system (Li-8100) in long-term bare fallow soil in the Loess Plateau (35°12' N, 107°40' E) in Changwu, Shaanxi, China from 2008 to 2013. The results showed that the annual cumulative SOC mineralization ranged from 226 to 298 g C m<sup>−2</sup> yr<sup>−1</sup>, with a mean of 253 g C m<sup>−2</sup> yr<sup>−1</sup> and a coefficient of variation (CV) of 13%, annual <i>Q</i><sub>10</sub> ranged from 1.48 to 1.94, with a mean of 1.70 and a CV of 10%, and annual soil moisture content ranged from 38.6 to 50.7% soil water-filled pore space (WFPS), with a mean of 43.8% WFPS and a CV of 11%, which were mainly affected by the frequency and distribution of precipitation. Annual <i>Q</i><sub>10</sub> showed a quadratic correlation with annual mean soil moisture content. In conclusion, understanding of the relationships between interannual variation in <i>Q</i><sub>10</sub>, soil moisture, and precipitation are important to accurately estimate the local carbon cycle, especially under the changing climate.