Estimation of Carbon Dioxide emissions from forest soils based on CO2 concentrations

Abstract: Forest soil is an important source of atmospheric CO2. Emission of CO2 from soil is the result of respiration of plant roots and soil organisms (Autotrophic and Heterotrophic respiration). This soil CO2 emission has a variation throughout the year with maximum emissions being in the summer. However, the seasonal variation affected by the external factors is not fully known. The aim of this thesis is to analyze a relationship between concentration of CO2 in the soil-atmosphere and CO2 emissions to the aboveground atmosphere. When knowing the relationship between CO2 concentration in the soil-atmosphere and the emission of CO2 from the soil atmosphere, a function (equation) can be established. Usually, the best fit is considered to establish the relationship. With the equations obtained, it is possible to calculate CO2 emissions using data different projects, where only soil-atmosphere CO2 concentrations were determined. Using the relationships, emissions rates in different soil types and in forest transect have been analyzed for a large number of samples. The effect of nitrogen deposition on CO2 emissions and seasonal variation of CO2 emission has also been studied. The sampled sites chosen for this study were located in different parts of Southern Scandinavia and Germany. A closed chamber was used to measure CO2 emission from soil. Soil CO2 concentrations were measured at every station and the equations were established. Finally, these relationships were used for analyses and comparison of the sites. An equation (best fit) obtained was used to calculate the emission values of CO2. The soil texture had a great influence on the CO2 from the soil besides the atmospheric pressure and temperature variations during the seasons. It is concluded that, therefore the soil texture and had a great influence on the CO2 emission from the soil besides the atmospheric pressure and temperature variations during the season. When knowing the equation between CO2 concentration and emission for a special type of soil, it is possible to estimate emissions based on CO2 concentrations. Therefore large scale sampling of CO2 concentrations could be done and this will facilitate the inventories carried out in e.g. global change studies.