Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
Soil respiration is one of the major ecosystem carbon fluxes and has a strong relationship with climate. We quantified this dependence for the Russian territory based on coupling climate data and in-situ soil respiration (Rs) measurements compiled into a database from the literature using regression and random forest models. The analysis showed that soil properties are a strong factor that mediates the climate effect on Rs. The vegetation class determines the contribution of the autotrophic respiration to the total Rs flux. The heterotrophic soil respiration efflux of Russia was estimated to be 3.2 Pg C yr−1 or 190 g C m−2 yr−1, which is 9–20% higher than most previously reported estimates. According to our modeling, heterotrophic soil respiration is expected to rise by 12% on average by 2050 according to the RCP2.6 climate scenario and at 10% based on RCP6. The total for Russia may reach 3.5 Pg C yr−1 by 2050. By the end of the century heterotrophic respiration may reach 3.6 Pg C yr−1 (+13%) and 4.3 Pg C yr−1 (+34%) based on RCP2.6 and RCP6, respectively. In order to understand to what extent the lack of information on disturbances impact contributes to uncertainty of our model, we analyzed a few available publications and expert estimates. Taking into account the specifics of Russian forest management and regional disturbance regimes, we have found that for the entire territory of Russia, the disturbances are responsible for an increase in heterotrophic soil respiration by less than 2%.
Highlights
IntroductionCarbon dioxide efflux from soil (soil respiration – Rs) is one of the largest exchanges of carbon to the atmosphere
Carbon dioxide efflux from soil is one of the largest exchanges of carbon to the atmosphere
Our analysis shows that the period of restoration in coniferous and hard wood deciduous forests continues for around 60 years, while for soft wood deciduous forests dominated by pioneer species like birch and aspen, this period lasts 30 years
Summary
Carbon dioxide efflux from soil (soil respiration – Rs) is one of the largest exchanges of carbon to the atmosphere. Recent global estimates suggest that the Rs flux ranges from 68 to 98 Pg C per year (Hashimoto et al, 2015). This is an order of magnitude higher than the emission rates from fossil fuel combustion (Alexander, 1977; Denman et al, 2007), indicating that soils are the predominant source of CO2 from terrestrial ecosystems. Carbon dioxide efflux from soil has two main sources: (i) microbial respiration – the heterotrophic part (Rh), and (ii) plant root respiration – the autotrophic flux (Ra). Plant communities can be drivers of soil respiration due to the amount of C diverted belowground (Metcalfe et al, 2011; Huang et al, 2020; Sun et al, 2020; Fan and Han, 2020)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
