Basal Area Effects on Soil Respiration Rates of a Pinus densiflora Stand

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between stand and soil environmental factors, and soil respiration rates at various levels of basal area in a 40-year-old natural red pine(Pinus densiflora S. et Z.) stand in southern Korea. Soil respiration rates were measured monthly using an infrared gas analyzer system from six basal area treatments between 21.4 m2 ha-1 and 46.7 m2 ha-1 for one year. Soil respiration at various levels of basal area showed a clear monthly variation, which had a similar pattern to soil temperature. The mean annual soil respiration rates were positively correlated with increasing basal area(r=0.86, p 0.05) such as the mean annual soil temperature, soil water content, soil pH, and soil organic C content during the study period. The results indicate that it is important to understand the role of stand attributes in the mean annual soil respiration rates in a stand level.