Photosynthetica 2013, 51(1):63-74 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-012-0079-6

Annual and monthly carbon balance in an intensively managed Mediterranean olive orchard

M. Nardino1,*, F. Pernice2, F. Rossi1, T. Georgiadis1, O. Facini1, A. Motisi2, A. Drago3
1 Institute of Biometeorology, National Research Council, Bologna, Italy
2 Department DEMETRA, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
3 Regione Sicilia, Palermo, Italy

At present, research activities on the role of orchard systems in sequestering atmospheric CO2 remain scarce. This paper aimed to contribute to assessing the carbon balance of a Mediterranean olive (Olea europea) orchard. The net ecosystem exchange, the ecosystem respiration and the gross primary production were computed for two consecutive years through eddy covariance, and the different biomass accumulation terms were also inferred in the same period through an inventorial method. The net carbon exchange ranged from 13.45 t(C) ha-1 year-1 to 11.60 t(C) ha-1 year-1. Very similar values [12.2 and 11.5 t(C) ha-1 year-1] were found with the direct carbon accumulation inventory. The intensive farming management (irrigation included) and the young age of the plants (12-16 years old), still in an active growing phase, led the olive plantation to be a higher carbon sink with respect to other evergreen orchards reported in the literature.

Additional key words: carbon balance; eddy covariance; net ecosystem exchange; olive orchard

Received: February 27, 2012; Accepted: October 8, 2012; Published: March 1, 2013  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Nardino, M., Pernice, F., Rossi, F., Georgiadis, T., Facini, O., Motisi, A., & Drago, A. (2013). Annual and monthly carbon balance in an intensively managed Mediterranean olive orchard. Photosynthetica, 51(1), 63-74. doi: 10.1007/s11099-012-0079-6
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Almagro, M., Lopez, J., Boix-Fayos, C., Albaladejo, J., Martinez-Mena, M.: Belowground carbon allocation patterns in a dry Mediterranean ecosystem: A comparison of two models. - Soil Biol. Biochem. 42: 1549-1557, 2010. Go to original source...
    2. Aubinet, M., Grelle, A., Ibrom, A., et al.: Estimates of the annual net carbon and water exchange of forests: The EUROFLUX methodology. - Adv. Ecol. Res. 30: 113-175, 2000. Go to original source...
    3. Bacelar, E.A., Moutinho-Peras, J.M., Gocalves, B.C. et al.: Physiological responses of different olive genotypes to drought conditions. - Acta Physiol. Plant. 31: 611-621, 2009. Go to original source...
    4. Baldini, E., Facini, O., Nerozzi, F. et al.: Leaf characteristics and optical responses of different woody species. - Trees 12: 73-81, 1997. Go to original source...
    5. Baldocchi, D.D., Hicks, B.B., Meyers, T.P.: Measuring biosphere-atmosphere exchange of biologically related gases with micrometeorological methods. - Ecology 69: 1331-1340, 1988. Go to original source...
    6. Barkza, Z., Kern, A., Haszpra, L., Klijun, N.: Spatial representativeness of tall tower eddy covariance measurements using remote sensing and footprint analysis. - Agr. Forest Meteorol. 149: 795-807, 2009. Go to original source...
    7. Beringer, J., Hutley, L.B., Hacker, J.M., Neininger, B., U, K.T.P.: Pattern and processes of carbon, water and energy cycles across northern Australian landscape: from point to region. - Agr. Forest Meteorol. 151: 1409-1416, 2011. Go to original source...
    8. Bohm, W.: Methods of Studying Root Systems. Pp. 188-188. Springer Press., New York 1979. Go to original source...
    9. Bongi, G., Mencuccini, M., Fonatanazza G.: Photosynthesis of olive leaves: effect of light flux density, leaf age, temperature, peltate, and H2O vapor pressure deficit on gas exchange. - J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 112: 143-165, 1987. Go to original source...
    10. Campbell, J.S., Norman, J.M.: The description and measurement of plant canopy structure. - In: Russel, G., Marshall, B, Jarvis, P. (ed.): Plant structures. Their Growth, Form and Function. - Soc. Exp. Biol. Seminar Series 31: 1-19, 1990. Go to original source...
    11. Carrara, A., Janssens, I.A., Yuste, J.C., Ceulemans, R.: Seasonal changes in photosynthesis, respiration and NEE of a mixed temperate forest. - Agr. Forest Meteorol. 126: 15-31, 2004. Go to original source...
    12. Caruso, T., Motisi, A., Buffa R. et al.: [Mechanisms involved in controlling the growth of the olive through the use of rootstock.] - Frutticoltura 3: 51-55, 2006. [In Italian]
    13. Connor, D.J.: Adaptation of olive (Olea europea L.) to waterlimited environments. - Austr. J. Agr. Res. 56: 1181-1189, 2005. Go to original source...
    14. Dagnelie, P.: [Theory and statistical methods.] Pp 492-492. Presses Agron. Gembloux 1, 1991. [In French]
    15. Dichio, B., Romano, M., Nuzzo, V., Xiloyannis C.: Soil water availability and relationship between canopy and root in young olive trees (cv. Coratina). - Acta Hort. 586: 255-258, 2002. Go to original source...
    16. Falge, E., Baldocchi, D.D., Olson, R.J. et al.: Gap filling strategies for defensible annual sums of net ecosystem exchange. - Agr. Forest Meteorol. 107: 43-69, 2001. Go to original source...
    17. Fernandez, J.E., Moreno, F., Cabrera, F. et al.: Drip irrigation, soil characteristics and the root distribution and root activity of olive trees. - Plant Soil 133: 239-251, 1991. Go to original source...
    18. Goulden, M.L., Munger, J.W., Fan, S.M. et al.: Measurements of carbon storage by long-term eddy correlation: methods and a critical assessment of accuracy. - Global Change Biol. 2: 169-182, 1996. Go to original source...
    19. Greco, S., Baldocchi, D.D.: Seasonal variations of CO2 and water vapor exchange rates over a temperate deciduous forest. - Global Change Biol. 2: 183-197, 1996. Go to original source...
    20. Grossman, Y.L., DeJong, T.M.: PEACH: A simulation model of reproductive and vegetative growth in peach trees. - Tree Physiol. 14: 329-345, 1994. Go to original source...
    21. Grunberg, J., Nieberg, H., Schmidt, T.G.: [Carbon footprints of food: a critical reflection.] - Landbauforschung Volkenrode 60: 53-72, 2010. [In German]
    22. Jackson, R.B., Canadell, J., Ehleringer, J.R. et al.: A global analysis of root distributions for terrestrial biomes. - Oecologia 108: 389-411, 1996. Go to original source...
    23. Kaimal, J.C., Finnigan, J.J.: Atmospheric Boundary Layers Flows - Their Structure and Measurement. Pp. 289-289. Oxford Univ. Press, New York 1994. Go to original source...
    24. Kilpeläinen, A., Alam, A., Strandman, H., Kellomäki, S.: Life cycle assessment tool for estimating net CO2 exchange of forest production. - Global Change Biol. Bioenergy 3: 461-471, 2011. Go to original source...
    25. Law, B.E., Falge, E., Gu, L. et al.: Environmental controls over carbon dioxide and water vapour exchange of terrestrial vegetation. - Agr. Forest Meteorol. 113: 97-120, 2002. Go to original source...
    26. Li, Z., Kurz, W.A., Apps, M.J., Beukema, S.J.: Belowground biomass dynamics in the Carbon Budget Model of the Canadian Forest Sector: recent improvement and implications for the estimation of NPP and NEP. - Can. J. Forest Res. 33: 126-136, 2003. Go to original source...
    27. Liguori, G., Gugliuzza, G., Inglese, P.: Evaluating carbon fluxes in orange orchards in relation to planting density. - J. Agr. Sci. 147: 637-645, 2009. Go to original source...
    28. Liu, Y.X., Langer, V., Hogh-Jensen, H., Hegelyng H.: Life Cycle Assessment of fossil energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in Chinese pear production. - J. Clean Prod. 18:1423-1430, 2010. Go to original source...
    29. Lloyd, J., Taylor, J.A.: On the temperature dependence of soil respiration. - Funct. Ecol. 8: 315-323, 1994. Go to original source...
    30. Mac Dicken, K.: A Guide to Monitoring Carbon Storage in Forestry and Agroforestry Projects. Pp. 89-89. - Winrock Int. Inst., Arlington 1997.
    31. Moncrieff, J.B., Malhi, Y., Leuning, R.: The propagation of errors in long-term measurements of land-atmosphere fluxes of carbon and water. - Global Change Biol. 2: 231-240, 1996. Go to original source...
    32. Montanaro, G., Dichio, B., Tuzio, A.C. et al.: [The role of fruit multifunctional systems: physiological parameters, management resource and storage of atmospheric carbon.] - Rivista Frutticolt. Ortofloricolt. 2: 14-18, 2008. [In Italian]
    33. Nemani, R.R., Keeling, C.D., Hashimoto, H. et al.: Climatedriven increases in global terrestrial net primary production from 1982 to 1999. - Science 300: 1560-1563, 2003. Go to original source...
    34. Perez-Lopez, D., Ribas, F., Moriana, A., et al.: The effect of irrigation schedules on the water relations and growth of a young olive (Olea europea L.) orchard. - Agr. Water Manage. 89: 297-304, 2007. Go to original source...
    35. Pernice, F., Motisi, A., Rossi, F. et al.: Micrometeorological and sap flow measurements of water vapour exchanges in olive: scaling up from canopy to orchard. - Acta Hort. 846: 159-166, 2009. Go to original source...
    36. Rossi, F.: Information systems as a tool in operational agrometeorology: applications to irrigation water management in Emilia Romagna-Italy. - In:Attri, S.D., Rathore, L.S., Sivakumar, M.V-K., Dash, S.K. (ed.): Challenges and Opportunities in Agrometeorology. Pp. 299-310. Springer Publ., New York 2011. Go to original source...
    37. Rossi F., Facini O., Georgiadis T., Nardino M.: Seasonal CO2 fluxes and energy balance in a kiwifruit orchard. - Ital. J. Agromet. 1: 44-56, 2007.
    38. Roussos, P.A., Denaxa, N.K., Damvakaris, T. et al.: Effect of alleviating products with different mode of action on physiology and yield of olive under drought. - Sci. Hort. 1125: 700-711, 2010. Go to original source...
    39. Russeaux, M.C., Bendetti, J.P, Searles, P.S.: Leaf-level responses of olive trees (Olea europaea) to the suspension of irrigation during the winter in an arid region of Argentina. - Sci. Hort. 115: 135-141, 2008. Go to original source...
    40. Santantonio, D., Hermann, R.K., Overton, W.S.: Root biomass studies in forest ecosystems. - Pedobiologia 17: 1-31, 1977. Go to original source...
    41. Schuepp, P.H., Leclerc, M.Y., Macpherson, J.I., Desjardins, R.L.: Footprint prediction of scalar fluxes from analytical solutions of the diffusion equation. - Bound. Layer Meteorol. 50: 355-373, 1990. Go to original source...
    42. Smith, P.: Carbon sequestration in croplands: the potential in Europe and the global context. - Eur. J. Agron. 20: 229-236, 2004. Go to original source...
    43. Smith, P., Lanigan, G., Kutsch, W.L., et al.: Measurements necessary for assessing the net eco system carbon budget of croplands. - Agr. Ecosyst. Environ. 139: 302-315, 2010. Go to original source...
    44. Sofo, A., Nuzzo, V., Palese, M.A. et al.: Net CO2 storage in Mediterranean olive and peach orchards. - Sci. Hort. 107: 17-24, 2005. Go to original source...
    45. Sofo, A., Manfreda, S., Fiorentino, M. et al.: The olive tree: a paradigm for drought tolerance in Mediterranean climates. - Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 12: 293-301, 2008. Go to original source...
    46. Swinbank, W.C.: The measurement of vertical transfer of heat and water vapour by eddies in the lower atmosphere. - J. Meteorol. 8: 135-145, 1951. Go to original source...
    47. Tagliavini, M., Panzacchi, P., Ceccon, C., et al.: Fluxes of carbon in Italian orchards. - Proc. 1st Symposium Hort. Europe, Vienna 2008.
    48. Tardieu, F., Manichon, H.: [Characterization of the radical capture of water in corn crop. A method to study the vertical and horizontal distribution of roots.] - Agronomie 6: 415-425, 1986. [In French] Go to original source...
    49. Valentini, R., Matteucci, G., Dolman, A.J. et al.: Respiration as the main determinant of carbon balance in European forests. - Nature 404: 861-865, 2000. Go to original source...
    50. Villalobos, F.J., Testi, L., Hidalgo, J. et al.: Modelling potential growth and yield of olive (Olea europaea L.) canopies. - Eur. J. Agron. 24: 296-303, 2006. Go to original source...
    51. Watanabe, M.D.B., Ortega, E.: Ecosystem services and biogeochemical cycles on a global scale: valuation of water, carbon and nitrogen processes. - Environ. Sci. Policy 14: 594-604, 2011. Go to original source...
    52. Wilcox, D., Dove, B., McDavid, D., Greer, D.: Image Tool for Windows. Version 3.0. - University Texas Health Sci. Center, San Antonio 2002.
    53. Yi, C., Ricciuto, D., Li, R. et al.: Climate control of terrestrial carbon exchange across biomes and continents. - Environ. Res. Lett. 5, 2010. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/5/3/034007. Go to original source...

    Return to the content