Drivers of CO2 Emission Rates from Dead Wood Logs of 13 Tree Species in the Initial Decomposition Phase

Forests

Tiemo Kahl²  Kristin Baber⁴  Peter Otto¹  Christian Wirth⁴  Jürgen Bauhus²  Maarten Nieuwenhuis³ 

[1] Department of Molecular Evolution and Plant Systematics, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 21-23, Leipzig 04103, Germany; E-Mail:;Chair of Silviculture, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacherstraße 4, Freiburg im Breisgau 79106, Germany; E-Mail:;Chair of Silviculture, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacherstraße 4, Freiburg im Breisgau 79106, Germany; E-Mail;Department of Systematic Botany and Functional Biodiversity, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 21-23, Leipzig 04103, Germany; E-Mails:

关键词: wood-inhabiting fungi;    temperate forests;    Biodiversity Exploratories;    forest management;    infrared gas analyzer;   

DOI  :  10.3390/f6072484

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Large dead wood is an important structural component of forest ecosystems and a main component of forest carbon cycles. CO₂ emissions from dead wood can be used as a proxy for actual decomposition rates. The main drivers of CO₂ emission rates for dead wood of temperate European tree species are largely unknown. We applied a novel, closed chamber measurement technique to 360 dead wood logs of 13 important tree species in three regions in Germany. We found that tree species identity was with 71% independent contribution to the model (R² = 0.62) the most important driver of volume-based CO₂ emission rates, with angiosperms having on average higher rates than conifers. Wood temperature and fungal species richness had a positive effect on CO₂ emission rates, whereas wood density had a negative effect. This is the first time that positive fungal species richness—wood decomposition relationship in temperate forests was shown. Certain fungal species were associated with high or low CO₂ emission rates. In addition, as indicated by separate models for each tree species, forest management intensity, study region, and the water content as well as C and N concentration of dead wood influenced CO₂ emission rates.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.