Soil and litter respiration rates in different microhabitats of a mixed oak-conifer forest and their control by edaphic conditions and substrate quality

Abstract

Soil and litter respiration rates were measured under canopies of Quercus floribunda, Q. leucotrichophora, Cedrus deodara, Cupressus torulosa and mixed tree species by alkali absorption. The soil and litter samples were analysed for selected chemical characteristics. Soil nitrogen and soil water were positive effectors for soil respiration, while soil carbon and bulk density inversely affected the same. Interactive control of soil respiration by combined effects ofedaphic conditions and quality of overlying litter was also indicated. Weight specific litter respiration was positively affected by litter nitrogen and moisture and negatively by lignin. Among the substrate quality parameters, linear combinations of nitrogen, moisture, carbon and lignin explained significant amount of variability in weight specific litter respiration. A linear combination of litter nitrogen and litter lignin explained 96% variability in weight specific soil plus litter respiration.