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Seasonal and diurnal variations in soil respiration rates at a treeline ecotone and a lower distribution limit of subalpine forests

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Abstract

This study examined the seasonal and diurnal variations in soil respiration rates (RS) during a growing season at the treeline ecotone (2,800 m) and the lower distribution limit (1,600 m) of subalpine forests on a volcanic mountain in Japan. The aboveground biomass, the total RS during the growing season, and the RS per day during the growing season were lower at 2,800 m than those at 1,600 m. Seasonal RS variations positively correlated with those of soil and air temperatures at both elevations, and this tendency was more apparent at 1,600 m than 2,800 m. The mean volumetric soil water content (WS) during the growing season was much lower at 2,800 m than 1,600 m because of the scoria substrate at 2,800 m. The monthly mean diel cycle of RS was positively correlated with the soil temperature at each elevation every month, whereas that at 1,600 m was negatively correlated with that of the WS. The RS at 2,800 m decreased during the daytime especially in August, despite no changes in the WS. The decrease in RS after precipitation at 1,600 m was higher than that at 2,800 m. Seasonal and diurnal RS variations could be reproduced from soil and air temperatures, and WS. Estimating soil respiration rate from these variables will help understand the future carbon budget of forests due to global warming.

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Acknowledgements

This study was partially supported by the joint research program of the Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo.

Funding

This study was partially supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Asahi 3-1-1, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan

    Soichiro Takeda

  2. Faculty of Science, Shinshu University, Asahi 3-1-1, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan

    Naoki Makita & Koichi Takahashi

  3. Institute of Mountain Science, Shinshu University, Asahi 3-1-1, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan

    Naoki Makita & Koichi Takahashi

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  1. Soichiro Takeda
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  2. Naoki Makita
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  3. Koichi Takahashi
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KT conceived the study; KT and ST collected the data; ST and KT analyzed the data; KT led the writing of the manuscript; NM and KT revised the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Koichi Takahashi.

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Takeda, S., Makita, N. & Takahashi, K. Seasonal and diurnal variations in soil respiration rates at a treeline ecotone and a lower distribution limit of subalpine forests. J Plant Res 137, 179–190 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10265-023-01516-x

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