Influence of disturbance on soil respiration in biologically crusted soil during the dry season.
Soil respiration (Rs) is a major pathway for carbon cycling and is a complex process involving abiotic and biotic factors. Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are a key biotic component of desert ecosystems worldwide. In desert ecosystems, soils are protected from surface disturbance by BSCs, but it is unknown whether Rs is affected by disturbance of this crust layer. We measured Rs in three types of disturbed and undisturbed crusted soils (algae, lichen, and moss), as well as bare land from April to August, 2010, in Mu Us desert, northwest China. Rs was similar among undisturbed soils but increased significantly in disturbed moss and algae crusted soils. The variation of Rs in undisturbed and disturbed soil was related to soil bulk density. Disturbance also led to changes in soil organic carbon and fine particles contents, including declines of 60-70% in surface soil C and N, relative to predisturbance values. Once BSCs were disturbed, Q 10 increased. Our findings indicate that a loss of BSCs cover will lead to greater soil C loss through respiration. Given these results, understanding the disturbance sensitivity impact on Rs could be helpful to modify soil management practices which promote carbon sequestration.
Yanchi Research Station, College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
Wei
W
Feng
Yanchi Research Station, College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
Yu-qing
YQ
Zhang
Yanchi Research Station, College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
Bin
B
Wu
Yanchi Research Station, College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
Tian-shan
TS
Zha
Yanchi Research Station, College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
Xin
X
Jia
Yanchi Research Station, College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
Shu-gao
SG
Qin
Yanchi Research Station, College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
Chen-xi
CX
Shao
Yanchi Research Station, College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
Jia-bin
JB
Liu
Yanchi Research Station, College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
Zong-rui
ZR
Lai
Yanchi Research Station, College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
Ke-yu
KY
Fa
D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D008011:Lichens / Q000502:physiology*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D000461:Rhodophyta / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons; D012987:Soil
D012987:Soil; D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen