大气氮沉降对森林土壤甲烷吸收和氧化亚氮排放的影响及其微生物学机制

水分非饱和的森林土壤是大气甲烷(CH4)汇和氧化亚氮(N2O)源,大气氮沉降增加是导致森林土壤碳氮气体通量不平衡的主要原因之一。土壤CH4吸收和N2O排放之间存在协同、消长和随机等复杂的耦合关系,关于氮素对两者产生过程的调节作用以及内在的微生物学机制至今尚不完全清楚。综述了森林土壤CH4吸收和N2O排放耦合过程的理论基础,土壤CH4和N2O的产生与消耗过程对增氮响应的生物化学和微生物学机制,指出各研究领域的不足和未来的研究重点。总体而言,低氮倾向于促进贫氮森林土壤CH4吸收,不改变土壤N2O的排放,而高氮显著抑制富氮森林土壤CH4吸收以及促进N2O排放。外源性氮素通过竞争抑制和毒性抑制来调控森林土壤CH4的吸收,而通过促进土壤硝化和反硝化过程来增加N2O的排放。然而,由于全球氮沉降控制试验网络分布的不均匀性、土壤碳氮通量产生过程的复杂性以及微生物分子生态学方法的局限性等原因,导致氮素对森林土壤碳氮通量的调控机制研究一直进展缓慢,未能将微生物功能群落动态与土壤碳氮通量真正地联系起来。未来研究应该从流域、生态系统和分子尺度上深入探讨土壤碳氮通量耦合作用的环境驱动机制,氮素对土壤CH4氧化和N2O产生过程的调控作用,以及增氮对土壤甲烷氧化菌和N2O产生菌活性和群落组成的影响。     

增氮对青藏高原东缘高寒草甸土壤甲烷吸收的早期影响

研究大气氮沉降对青藏高原高寒草甸土壤CH4吸收的影响,对于揭示氮素调节土壤CH4吸收的机制和评价氮沉降增加背景下大气CH4收支平衡至关重要.通过构建多形态、低剂量的增氮控制试验,测定土壤CH4净交换通量和相关土壤理化性质,分析高寒草甸土壤CH4通量变化特征及其主要驱动因子.研究结果表明:自然状态下高寒草甸土壤是大气CH4汇,CH4平均吸收量为(35.40±1.92) μg· m-2· h-1.土壤CH4吸收主要受水分驱动,其次为土壤NH4+-N和NO3-N含量.NH4+-N抑制CH4吸收,NO3--N促进CH4吸收;不同剂量氮素输入对土壤CH4吸收影响也不尽相同,低氮处理促进土壤CH4吸收,而中氮和高氮处理抑制土壤CH4吸收.结果显示青藏高原高寒草甸土壤是重要的大气CH4汇,在未来大气氮沉降加倍的情景下CH4汇功能增强,但当氮沉降量增加两倍以上时CH4汇功能将会减弱.     

寒温带针叶林土壤CH4吸收对模拟大气氮沉降增加的初期响应

N沉降作为驱动因子会改变森林土壤－大气界面CH4净交换通量和方向。然而,对引起北方森林土壤CH4吸收发生转变的大气N沉降临界负荷及其响应机制知之甚少。为此,本研究以我国大兴安岭北方寒温带针叶林土壤作为研究对象,参照大兴安岭站实际大气N沉降通量,构建了低剂量、多形态和高频率的大气N沉降模拟增加控制实验,研究了2010年6-10月生长季土壤CH4吸收通量及其驱动因子对增N的初期响应。研究表明：整个生长季,大兴安岭寒温带针叶林土壤作为大气CH4净汇,CH4平均吸收通量为51.5?4.70 ugm-2h-1,主要受0-10cm土壤水分驱动。短期内,0-10cm矿质土壤NH4 -N含量对增N响应敏感;0-10cm矿质土壤NO3--N含量则受NO3--N输入影响较为明显。相反,0-10cm矿质土壤pH对增N的响应不敏感。总体上,低剂量的N输入对大兴安岭寒温带针叶林生长季土壤－大气界面CH4净交换通量影响不显著,而不排除NO3--N 输入尤其是低N处理情形所呈现出促进土壤CH4氧化的趋势。大兴安岭寒温带针叶林土壤CH4吸收对增N的响应敏感程度可能和土壤CH4活性氧化区域,土壤NH4 -N、NO3--N含量空间分布格局和相对比例有关。未来长期低水平的大气N沉降是否会改变大兴安岭北方森林土壤氧化大气CH4趋势,有待研究。     

全球变化对森林土壤甲烷吸收的影响及其机制研究进展

大气CO₂浓度升高、降水格局改变、全球氮沉降增加和土地覆盖变化等全球变化不仅改变了森林土壤理化性质,而且影响了植物的生长和微生物活性,导致森林土壤碳、氮循环发生改变,进而影响土壤CH₄的吸收.本研究综述了森林土壤CH₄吸收的重要性,森林土壤CH₄吸收对大气CO₂浓度升高、降水格局改变、全球氮沉降增加和土地覆盖变化等全球变化的响应差异及驱动机制.大气CO₂浓度升高抑制土壤CH₄吸收;降水减少倾向于促进土壤CH₄吸收;外源氮输入抑制富氮森林土壤CH₄吸收,而对贫氮森林土壤CH₄吸收则表现为促进或不影响;森林转化为草地、农田或人工林会减少土壤CH₄的吸收量,而植树造林则会增加土壤CH₄的吸收量.今后的研究重点是探讨全球变化对森林土壤CH₄吸收产生长期影响和综合效应,并借助分子生物学方法进一步探究土壤CH₄吸收的微生物学机制.     

施氮和降水格局改变对土壤CH4和CO2通量的影响

氮沉降增加和降水格局改变是全球变化的两项重要内容,但是同时考虑上述两因素对温室气体CH4和CO2通量影响的原位双因子模拟研究还相当有限.本研究以长白山温带阔叶红松林土壤为研究对象,采用静态箱法研究了外施氮源(50 kg N·hm-2·a-1)和增减30％降水对土壤CH4和CO2通量的影响.结果表明:施氮能抑制土壤CH4吸收,有时甚至能将土壤对CH4的吸收转为释放,但这种抑制效应只能维持5d左右,且能在一定程度上改变CH4通量和环境因子(温度、土壤pH、粘粒含量)的相关关系.降水改变未能显著影响土壤CH4通量.对CO2通量而言,施氮能降低土壤CO2排放,长白山阔叶红松林连续施氮第4年的平均抑制效应为27.4％.长期连续施氮的平均抑制效应随施氮时间延长而逐渐增大,一定年限后达到最大值.单次施氮的抑制效应随时间延长逐渐减弱,并在1个月的施氮周期末期基本消失.施氮的抑制效应和土壤充水孔隙度(WFPS)呈显著负相关关系,且升温能增强施氮对CO2释放的抑制效应并延长抑制时间.施氮、降水有可能改变土壤呼吸的温度敏感性.本研究表明,长白山森林土壤氮素尚未达到一定阈值,未来氮沉降增加将抑制CO2的释放和CH4的吸收,因此总体来看施氮抑制土壤碳排放.     

模拟氮沉降增加对寒温带针叶林土壤 CO2排放的初期影响

研究大气氮沉降增加情景下北方森林土壤CO2排放通量及其相关控制因子至关重要。在大兴安岭寒温带针叶林区建立了大气氮沉降模拟控制试验,利用静态箱-气相色谱法测定土壤CO2排放通量,同时测定土壤温度、水分、无机氮和可溶性碳含量等相关变量,分析寒温带针叶林土壤CO2排放特征及其主要驱动因子。结果表明:氮素输入没有显著改变森林土壤含水量,但降低了有机层土壤溶解性无机碳(DIC)含量,并增加有机层和矿质层土壤溶解性有机碳(DOC)含量。增氮短期内不影响土壤NH+4-N含量,但促进了土壤NO-3-N的累积。增氮倾向于增加北方森林土壤CO2排放。土壤CO2通量主要受土壤温度驱动,其次为土壤水分和DIC含量。虽然土壤温度整体上控制着土壤CO2通量的季节变化格局,但在生长旺季土壤含水量对其影响更为明显。在分析增氮对土壤CO2通量的净效应时,除了土壤温度和水分外,还要考虑土壤有效碳、氮动态的影响。     

氮素类型和剂量对寒温带针叶林土壤N2O排放的影响

大气氮沉降输入会增加森林生态系统氮素有效性,进而改变土壤N_2O产生与排放,然而有关不同氮素离子(氧化态NO_3~--N与还原态NH_4~+-N)沉降对土壤N_2O排放的影响知之甚少。以大兴安岭寒温带针叶林为研究对象,构建了3种类型(NH_4Cl、KNO_3、NH_4NO_3)和4个施氮水平(0、10、20、40 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1))的增氮控制试验,利用流动化学分析仪和静态箱-气相色谱法4次/月测定凋落物层和矿质层土壤无机氮含量、土壤-大气界面N_2O净交换通量以及相关环境因子,分析施氮类型和剂量对土壤氮素有效性、土壤N_2O通量的影响探讨氮素富集条件下土壤N_2O通量的环境驱动机制。结果表明:施氮类型和剂量均显著影响土壤无机氮含量,土壤NH_4~+-N的积累效应显著高于NO_3~--N。施氮一致增加寒温带针叶林土壤N_2O排放,NH_4NO_3促进效应最为明显,增幅为442%-677%,高于全球平均水平(134%)。土壤N_2O通量与土壤温度、凋落物层NH_4~+-N含量正相关,且随着施氮水平增加而增加。结果表明大气氮沉降短期内不会导致寒温带针叶林土壤NO_3~--N大量流失,但会显著促进土壤N_2O的排放。此外,外源性NH_4~+和NO_3~-输入对土壤N_2O排放的促进作用具有协同效应,在未来森林生态系统氮循环和氮平衡研究中应该区分对待。     

中亚热带天然林土壤CH_4吸收速率对模拟N沉降的响应

陆地森林土壤是重要的大气甲烷(CH4)汇,大气氮(N)沉降增加对森林土壤CH4吸收速率影响突出。运用静态箱-气相色谱法对中亚热带天然林土壤CH4吸收速率对模拟N沉降的响应进行连续3a的观测;试验作3种N处理,分别为对照(CK,0 kg N·hm-2·a-1)、低氮(LN,50 kg N·hm-2·a-1)和高氮(HN,100 kg N·hm-2·a-1),每种处理重复3次,每个月采集气体1次,同时测定0—5 cm土壤温度和0—12 cm土壤含水量;分析不同N沉降水平土壤CH4吸收速率的差异、动态变化以及对土壤含水量和土壤温度响应,并探讨N沉降对土壤理化性质的影响。结果显示:天然林土壤(CK)平均CH4吸收速率为(-62.78±14.39)μg·m-2·h-1,LN和HN土壤平均CH4吸收速率分别下降了30.21%、7.24%,CK、LN和HN处理土壤CH4吸收速率季节变化趋势相似;观测期间土壤CH4吸收速率对LN响应达到显著水平(P0.05),对HN响应则不显著(P0.05);LN、HN处理前两年对土壤CH4吸收速率抑制作用均不显著(P0.05),但在第3年LN极显著降低了土壤CH4吸收速率(P0.01),HN处理对土壤CH4吸收速率的影响则在第3年表现为显著抑制作用(P0.05),表明土壤CH4吸收速率对N沉降的响应随着N沉降时间的持续呈抑制效应加剧的趋势。相关分析表明:CK与HN土壤CH4吸收速率与土壤温度和土壤含水量均有显著相关性(P0.05),但LN土壤CH4吸收速率仅与土壤含水量显著相关(P0.05),表明土壤含水量是控制各N沉降处理土壤CH4吸收速率动态的主要环境因子。此外,LN、HN处理下土壤pH均极显著降低(P0.01),但LN土壤pH极显著低于HN(P0.01);LN处理极显著提高了土壤C/N比(P0.01),HN处理则相反;LN和HN处理对土壤NH+4-N、NO-3-N、可溶性总N(TDN)、可溶性有机碳(DOC)、地面凋落物量、地下0—10 cm细根生物量影响均不显著(P0.05),表明一定时期内N沉降首先引起了土壤pH和土壤C/N比的显著变化。     

氮沉降对森林土壤主要温室气体通量的影响

大气氮沉降已经并将继续对森林土壤主要温室气体(CO2、CH4和N2O)通量产生影响.综述了国内外氮沉降对森林土壤主要温室气体通量影响及其机理的研究现状.由于森林类型、土壤N状况、氮沉降量及沉降类型等不同,氮沉降对森林土壤主要温室气体通量的影响主要表现为抑制、促进和不显著3种效果.在N限制的森林中,氮沉降对土壤主要温室气体通量无显著影响,或促进土壤CO2排放;在"N饱和"的森林中,氮沉降可减少土壤CO2排放,抑制对大气CH4的吸收,增加N2O排放.分析了产生以上影响效果的作用机理,介绍了氮沉降对森林土壤主要温室气体通量影响的研究方法,探讨了该领域存在的问题及未来研究的方向.     

无机氮对土壤甲烷氧化作用的影响

无机氮输入(施氮肥和大气N沉降)对土壤CH4氧化作用的影响取决于甲烷氧化菌类型、输N种类和量以及土壤状况．这种作用既有抑制作用,又有刺激作用,但文献报道的抑制作用多于刺激作用,NH4^ 对CH4氧化的抑制作用多于NO3^-．随着全球N输入的增加,应在广泛的土壤类型和气候带观测和评价无机氯对土壤CH4氧化作用的影响．无机氮对土壤CH4氧化的抑制作用表现为立即或直接抑制、延迟抑制以及缺乏抑制等多种模式．尽管目前—些学者用酶基质竞争、增高的阈值、盐作用和离子交换、N转化率和N浓度等来解释抑制现象,但抑制机理依旧不完全清楚．因此,抑制机理是本领域未来研究的主要目标之一．     

Effects of nitrogen deposition on the greenhouse gas fluxes from forest soils

Nitrogen (N) deposition can alter the rates of microbial N- and C- turnover, and thus can affect the fluxes of greenhouse gases (GHG, e.g., CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O) from forest soils. The effects of N deposition on the GHG fluxes from forest soils were reviewed in this paper. N deposition to forest soils have shown variable effects on the soil GHG fluxes from forest, including increases, decreases or unchanged rates depending on forest type, N status of the soil, and the rate and type of atmospheric N deposition. In forest ecosystems where biological processes are limited by N supply, N additions either stimulate soil respiration or have no significant effect, whereas in “N saturated” forest ecosystems, N additions decrease CO₂ emission, reduce CH₄ oxidation and elevate N₂O flux from the soil. The mechanisms and research methods about the effects of N deposition on GHG fluxes from forest soils were also reviewed in this paper. Finally, the present and future research needs about the effects of N deposition on the GHG fluxes from forest soils were discussed.     

Increasing soil methane sink along a 120‐year afforestation chronosequence is driven by soil moisture

Upland soils are important sinks for atmospheric methane (CH₄), a process essentially driven by methanotrophic bacteria. Soil CH₄ uptake often depends on land use, with afforestation generally increasing the soil CH₄ sink. However, the mechanisms driving these changes are not well understood to date. We measured soil CH₄ and N₂O fluxes along an afforestation chronosequence with Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) established on an extensively grazed subalpine pasture. Our experimental design included forest stands with ages ranging from 25 to >120 years and included a factorial cattle urine addition treatment to test for the sensitivity of soil CH₄ uptake to N application. Mean CH₄ uptake significantly increased with stand age on all sampling dates. In contrast, CH₄ oxidation by sieved soils incubated in the laboratory did not show a similar age dependency. Soil CH₄ uptake was unrelated to soil N status (but cattle urine additions stimulated N₂O emission). Our data indicated that soil CH₄ uptake in older forest stands was driven by reduced soil water content, which resulted in a facilitated diffusion of atmospheric CH₄ into soils. The lower soil moisture likely resulted from increased interception and/or evapotranspiration in the older forest stands. This mechanism contrasts alternative explanations focusing on nitrogen dynamics or the composition of methanotrophic communities, although these factors also might be at play. Our findings further imply that the current dramatic increase in forested area increases CH₄ uptake in alpine regions.     

Atmospheric methane uptake by tropical montane forest soils and the contribution of organic layers

Microbial oxidation in aerobic soils is the primary biotic sink for atmospheric methane (CH₄), a powerful greenhouse gas. Although tropical forest soils are estimated to globally account for about 28% of annual soil CH₄ consumption (6.2 Tg CH₄ year^?1), limited data are available on CH₄ exchange from tropical montane forests. We present the results of an extensive study on CH₄ exchange from tropical montane forest soils along an elevation gradient (1,000, 2,000, 3,000 m) at different topographic positions (lower slope, mid-slope, ridge position) in southern Ecuador. All soils were net atmospheric CH₄ sinks, with decreasing annual uptake rates from 5.9 kg CH₄–C ha^?1 year^?1 at 1,000 m to 0.6 kg CH₄–C ha^?1 year^?1 at 3,000 m. Topography had no effect on soil atmospheric CH₄ uptake. We detected some unexpected factors controlling net methane fluxes: positive correlations between CH₄ uptake rates, mineral nitrogen content of the mineral soil and with CO₂ emissions indicated that the largest CH₄ uptake corresponded with favorable conditions for microbial activity. Furthermore, we found indications that CH₄ uptake was N limited instead of inhibited by NH₄ ⁺. Finally, we showed that in contrast to temperate regions, substantial high affinity methane oxidation occurred in the thick organic layers which can influence the CH₄ budget of these tropical montane forest soils. Inclusion of elevation as a co-variable will improve regional estimates of methane exchange in these tropical montane forests.     

Variation in Soil Methane Release or Uptake Responses to Biochar Amendment: A Separate Meta-analysis

Agricultural soils play an important role in the atmospheric methane (CH₄) budget, where paddy soils can contribute significant CH₄ to atmosphere whereas upland soils may act as a source or sink of atmospheric CH₄, dependent on soil water conditions. Biochar amendments have effects on soil CH₄ production or oxidation processes in individual experiments, but the causative mechanisms are yet to be fully elucidated. To synthesize the response of soil CH₄ release or uptake to biochar amendment, we performed a meta-analysis using data from 61 peer-reviewed papers with 222 updated paired measurements. When averaged across all studies, biochar amendment significantly decreased CH₄ release rates by 12% for paddy soils and 72% for upland soils, and CH₄ uptake rates by 84% for upland soils. Neither soil CH₄ release nor uptake responses to biochar amendment were significant in field soils. Nitrogen (N) fertilizer application would weaken the response of soil CH₄ release or uptake to biochar amendment. Biochar-incurred decreases in soil CH₄ release and uptake rates were the largest in medium-textured soils or neutral-pH soils. Soil CH₄ release or uptake responses to biochar were also significantly altered by biochar characteristics, such as feedstock source, C/N ratio, pH, and pyrolysis temperature. The results of this synthesis suggest that the role of biochar in soil CH₄ mitigation potential might have been exaggerated, particularly in fields when biochar is applied in combination with N fertilizer.     

土壤湿度对中国南部热带森林土壤甲烷吸收的影响

森林土壤是一个重要的大气甲烷的汇。然而,相较于寒带和温带,在热带尤其是东南亚地区,森林土壤甲烷通量的观测较少,这限制了目前对热带森林土壤甲烷通量与环境因子之间关系的认识,也给热带森林土壤甲烷汇的估算带来了一定的不确定性。在中国海南省吊罗山国家森林公园的热带森林土壤,采用激光光谱法测量了2016年9月至2018年9月逐月的土壤甲烷通量,并分析了其与周围环境因子的关系。结果表明：研究区土壤是甲烷的汇,山顶样地的年平均吸收量为0.95 kg CH₄-C hm^-2 a^-1,山脚样地的年平均吸收量为1.93 kg CH₄-C hm^-2 a^-1。干季(11月—次年4月)的甲烷吸收通量明显高于湿季(5—10月),占到全年甲烷吸收的68%。山顶样地年平均土壤湿度为19.2%,年内的波动较小(2.8%)。而山脚样地的年平均湿度相对较低,为12.7%,且年内波动大(5.4%)。土壤湿度是控制甲烷吸收最主要的环境因子,可以解释月际甲烷吸收变化的76%,甲烷吸收通量与土壤温度的相...     

Conversion of hardwood forests to spruce and pine plantations strongly reduced soil methane sink in Germany

Well‐drained forest soils are thought to be a significant sink for atmospheric methane. Recent research suggests that land use change reduces the soil methane sink by diminishing populations of methane oxidizing bacteria. Here we report soil CH₄ uptake from ‘natural’ mature beech forests and from mature pine and spruce plantations in two study areas of Germany with distinct climate and soils. The CH₄ uptake rates of both beech forests at Solling and Unterlüß were about two–three times the CH₄ uptake rates of the adjacent pine and spruce plantations, indicating a strong impact of forest type on the soil CH₄ sink. The CH₄ uptake rates of sieved mineral soils from our study sites confirmed the tree species effect and indicate that methanotrophs were mainly reduced in the 0–5 cm mineral soil depth. The reasons for the reduction are still unknown. We found no site effect between Solling and Unterlüß, however, CH₄ uptake rates from Solling were significantly higher at the same effective CH₄ diffusivity. This potential site effect was masked by higher soil water contents at Solling. Soil pH (H₂O) explained 71% of the variation in CH₄ uptake rates of sieved mineral soils from the 0–5 cm depth, while cation exchange capacity, soil organic carbon, soil nitrogen and total phosphorous content were not correlated with CH₄ uptake rates. Comparing 1998–99, annual CH₄ uptake rates increased by 69–111% in the beech and spruce stands and by 5–25% in the pine stands, due primarily to differences in growing season soil moisture. Cumulative CH₄ uptake rates from November throughout April were rather constant in both years. The CH₄ uptake rates of each stand were separately predicted using daily average soil matric potential and a previously developed empirical model. The model results revealed that soil matric potential explains 53–87% of the temporal variation in CH₄ uptake. The differences between measured and predicted annual CH₄ uptake rates were less than 10%, except for the spruce stand at Solling in 1998 (17%). Based on data from this study and from the literature, we calculated a total reduction in the soil CH₄ sink of 31% for German forests due in part to conversion of deciduous to coniferous forests.     

Soil-atmosphere exchange of nitrous oxide and methane in New Zealand terrestrial ecosystems and their mitigation options: a review

The two non-CO₂ greenhouse gases (GHGs) nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) comprise 54.8% of total New Zealand emissions. Nitrous oxide is mainly generated from mineral N originating from animal dung and urine, applied fertiliser N, biologically fixed N₂, and mineralisation of soil organic N. Even though about 96% of the anthropogenic CH₄ emitted in New Zealand is from ruminant animals (methanogenesis), methane uptake by aerobic soils (methanotrophy) can significantly contribute to the removal of CH₄ from the atmpsphere, as the global estimates confirm. Both the net uptake of CH₄ by soils and N₂O emissions from soils are strongly influenced by changes in land use and land management. Quantitative information on the fluxes of these two non-CO₂ GHGs is required for a range of land-use and land-management ecosystems to determine their contribution to the national emissions inventory, and for assessing the potential of mitigation options. Here we report soil N₂O fluxes and CH₄ uptake for a range of land-use and land-management systems collated from published and unpublished New Zealand studies. Nitrous oxide emissions are highest in dairy-grazed pastures (10–12 kg N₂O–N ha^?1 year^{? 1}), intermediate in sheep-grazed pastures, (4–6 kg N₂O–N ha^?1 year^?1), and lowest in forest, shrubland and ungrazed pasture soils (1–2 kg N₂O–N ha^?1 year^?1). N deposited in the form of animal urine and dung, and N applied as fertiliser, are the principal sources of N₂O production. Generally, N₂O emissions from grazed pasture soils are high when the soil water-filled pore-space is above field capacity, and net CH₄ uptake is low or absent. Although nitrification inhibitors have shown some promise in reducing N₂O emissions from grazed pasture systems, their efficacy as an integral part of farm management has yet to be tested. Methane uptake was highest for a New Zealand Beech forest soil (10–11 kg CH₄ ha^?1 year^?1), intermediate in some pine forest soils (4–6 kg CH₄ ha^?1 year^?1), and lowest in most pasture (<1 kg CH₄ ha^?1 year^?1) and cropped soils (1.5 kg CH₄ ha^?1 year^?1). Afforestation /reforestation of pastures results in increases in soil CH₄ uptake, largely as a result of increases in soil aeration status and changes in the population and activities of methanotrophs. Soil CH₄ uptake is also seasonally dependent, being about two to three times higher in a dry summer and autumn than in a wet winter. There are no practical ways yet available to reduce CH₄ emissions from agricultural systems. The mitigation options to reduce gaseous emissions are discussed and future research needs identified.     

Land-Use Change and Biogeochemical Controls of Methane Fluxes in Soils of Eastern Amazonia

Tropical soils account for 10%–20% of the 15–35 Tg of atmospheric methane (CH₄) consumed annually by soils, although tropical deforestation could be changing the soil sink. The objectives of this study were (a) to quantify differences in soil CH₄ fluxes among primary forest, secondary forest, active pasture, and degraded pasture in eastern Amazonia; and (b) to investigate controlling mechanisms of CH₄ fluxes, including N availability, gas-phase transport, and soil respiration. At one ranch, Fazenda Vitória, annual uptake estimates (kg CH₄ha⁻¹ y⁻¹) based on monthly measurements were: primary forest, 2.1; secondary forest, 1.0; active pasture, 1.3; degraded pasture, 3.1. The lower annual uptake in the active pasture compared with the primary forest was due to CH₄ production during the wet season in the pasture soils, which is consistent with findings from other studies. In contrast, the degraded pasture was never a CH₄ source. Expressing uptake as a negative flux and emission as a positive flux, CH₄ fluxes were positively correlated with CO₂ fluxes, indicating that root and microbial respiration in the productive pastures, and to a lesser extent in the primary forest, contributed to the formation of anaerobic microsites where CH₄ was produced, whereas this productivity was absent in the degraded pasture. In all land uses, uptake rates of atmospheric CH₄ were greater in the dry season than in the wet season, indicating the importance of soil water content and gas transport on CH₄ fluxes. These clay soils had low annual uptake rates relative to reported rates on sandy soils, which also is consistent with gas transport within the soil being a limiting factor. Nitrogen availability indices did not correlate with CH₄ fluxes, indicating that inhibition of CH₄ oxidation was not an important mechanism explaining differences among land uses. At another ranch, Fazenda Agua Parada, no significant effect of pasture age was observed along a chronosequence of pasture ages. We conclude that land-use change can either increase or decrease the soil sink of CH₄, depending on the duration of wet and dry seasons, the effects of seasonal precipitation on gas-phase transport, and the phenology and relative productivity of the vegetation in each land use.