Abstract
ABSTRACT In arid Africa, it is unclear how the transition from grassland to cropland affects CO2 fluxes and whether these effects are climate-dependent. From November 2019 to March 2020 (dry season), we studied autotrophic (Ra) and heterotrophic (Rh) soil respiration. At highlands, grazing land (1.18 ± 0.13 µmol m−2 s−1) and teff croplands (1.36 ± 0.14 µmol m−2 s−1) had the lowest Rh, while acacia decurrens plantations (1.94 ± 0.19 µmol m−2 s−1) were the largest. When compared to teff (2.08 ± 0.20 µmol m−2 s−1) and khat (1.73 ± 0.24 µmol m−2 s−1), grazing land in the midland had a lower Rh (1.18 ± 0.13 µmol m−2 s−1). Ra on teff (1.51 ± 0.27 µmol m−2 s−1) was substantially (P < 0.05) greater than on grazing land (1.08 ± 0.32 µmol m−2 s−1) in the highlands. Grazing lands (1.54 ± 0.21 µmol m−2 s−1) have a considerably (P < 0.05) greater Ra than farmlands (teff, 0.20 ± 0.07 µmol m−2 s−1; groundnut, 0.09 ± 0.03 µmol m−2 s−1) in lowlands. Growing teff in the highlands and midlands will result in higher CO2 fluxes into the atmosphere. However, in-depth research is needed to implement effective land management that reduces CO2 emissions.
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More From: Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B — Soil & Plant Science
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