Abstract
Biogenic volatile organic carbon (BVOC) emissions are an important component of the global BVOC budget, contributing more than 90%. Emissions vary with species and vegetation type; therefore to produce accurate global budgets data is required from different vegetation types. This study investigates BVOC emissions from savannas, Kalahari woodlands, Kalahari open shrublands and Mopane woodlands in southern Africa. BVOC emission samples from individual species were collected using leaf cuvettes and the BVOC concentrations were determined by GC-FID/MS. Ten of the 14 woodland species measured were high isoprene emitters, while two showed high monoterpene emission capacities. Landscape average isoprene emission capacities were estimated to be as high as 9, 8 and 1 mg C m −2 h −1 for savannas, woodlands and shrub lands, respectively. The monoterpene emission capacity for Mopane woodlands were estimated at almost 3 mg C m −2 h −1, while for other landscapes it varied between 0.04 and 3 mg C m −2 h −1. Isoprene and monoterpene emissions at a savanna site in South Africa showed a seasonal variation, which is more pronounced for isoprene. During the winter (June–September) estimated emissions were <10 mg C m −2 d −1, with peak emissions (ranging between 20 and 80 mg C m −2 d −1) occurring during the summer months (December–March) when foliar density peaked. The total BVOC emission from southern African (south of the Equator) savannas was estimated to be in the range of 18–74 Tg C yr −1.
Highlights
Biogenic volatile organic carbons (BVOCs), through their influence on photochemical oxidant and aerosol formation, play an important role in the composition of the atmosphere and the global radiation budget
BVOC emission rates for individual leaves were collected during the summer months (February/March) at the various sites
The emission rate of 56 mg gÀ1 hÀ1 for B. africana at the Nylsvley savanna (Table 1) was higher than the previously measured rate of 36 mg gÀ1 hÀ1 (Guenther et al, 1996), it is similar to the emission rate from B. africana in the Kalahari Woodland (Table 2)
Summary
Biogenic volatile organic carbons (BVOCs), through their influence on photochemical oxidant and aerosol formation, play an important role in the composition of the atmosphere and the global radiation budget. Among the most abundant BVOCs emitted from vegetation are isoprene and monoterpenes, which are estimated to contribute 44% and 11%, respectively, to the global vegetation BVOC budget of 1150 Tg C yrÀ1 (Guenther et al, 1995). BVOC emission rates are species specific, landscape emissions are dependent on the species composition and abundance in a landscape. Emission of isoprene and monoterpenes is influenced by temperature and, in some species, by light intensity
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