Comparison of the variation of soil respiration in carbon cycle in temperate and subtropical forests and the relationship with climatic variables

Forest soil respiration (SR) has become a vital issue in global change ecology because of its critical role in global warming processes. However, SR remains the least understood component of the terrestrial carbon cycle because of its high spatial-temporal variability, inaccessibility of the soil substrate, and the high cost of measurement equipment. This study investigated the spatial and temporal variations of SR in six temperate and subtropical forest sites in eastern China. Seasonal variations of SR, the relationship between SR and soil temperature (ST) and volumetric water content (SW) were analyzed. Mean monthly SR varied seasonally and peaked in summer. SR varied temporally with ST (R² = 0.43∼0.79) in different sites and varied spatially with latitude (R² = 0.68). The responses of SR to the changes of SW varied across different sites and forest types. Their relationships were simulated by piecewise functions in the north three sites. The modules of ST and SW showed that ST is the dominant environmental factor in regulating seasonal dynamics of SR. This study is the first to examine the temporal and spatial variations of SR using a consistent method in situ in temperate and subtropical forests in eastern China. The results provide a scientific basis for accurately assessing future soil CO₂ efflux as a result of climate changes, and aid predictions of the changes of forest SR.