Combined effects of atmospheric CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and N availability on the belowground carbon and nitrogen dynamics of aspen mesocosms

It is uncertain whether elevated atmospheric CO₂ will increase C storage in terrestrial ecosystems without concomitant increases in plant access to N. Elevated CO₂ may alter microbial activities that regulate soil N availability by changing the amount or composition of organic substrates produced by roots. Our objective was to determine the potential for elevated CO₂ to change N availability in an experimental plant-soil system by affecting the acquisition of root-derived C by soil microbes. We grew Populus tremuloides (trembling aspen) cuttings for 2 years under two levels of atmospheric CO₂ (36.7 and 71.5 Pa) and at two levels of soil N (210 and 970 μg N g^–1). Ambient and twice-ambient CO₂ concentrations were applied using open-top chambers, and soil N availability was manipulated by mixing soils differing in organic N content. From June to October of the second growing season, we measured midday rates of soil respiration. In August, we pulse-labeled plants with ¹⁴CO₂ and measured soil ¹⁴CO₂ respiration and the ¹⁴C contents of plants, soils, and microorganisms after a 6-day chase period. In conjunction with the August radio-labeling and again in October, we used ¹⁵N pool dilution techniques to measure in situ rates of gross N mineralization, N immobilization by microbes, and plant N uptake. At both levels of soil N availability, elevated CO₂ significantly increased whole-plant and root biomass, and marginally increased whole-plant N capital. Significant increases in soil respiration were closely linked to increases in root biomass under elevated CO₂. CO₂ enrichment had no significant effect on the allometric distribution of biomass or ¹⁴C among plant components, total ¹⁴C allocation belowground, or cumulative (6-day) ¹⁴CO₂ soil respiration. Elevated CO₂ significantly increased microbial ¹⁴C contents, indicating greater availability of microbial substrates derived from roots. The near doubling of microbial ¹⁴C contents at elevated CO₂ was a relatively small quantitative change in the belowground C cycle of our experimental system, but represents an ecologically significant effect on the dynamics of microbial growth. Rates of plant N uptake during both 6-day periods in August and October were significantly greater at elevated CO₂, and were closely related to fine-root biomass. Gross N mineralization was not affected by elevated CO₂. Despite significantly greater rates of N immobilization under elevated CO₂, standing pools of microbial N were not affected by elevated CO₂, suggesting that N was cycling through microbes more rapidly. Our results contained elements of both positive and negative feedback hypotheses, and may be most relevant to young, aggrading ecosystems, where soil resources are not yet fully exploited by plant roots. If the turnover of microbial N increases, higher rates of N immobilization may not decrease N availability to plants under elevated CO₂. Received: 12 February 1999 / Accepted: 2 March 2000     

Partitioning of respiration from soil,litter and plants in a mixed-grassland ecosystem

Summary Carbon dioxide effluxes from plants, litter and soil were measured in two mixed-grassland sites in Saskatchewan, Canada. Ecosystems at both locations were dominated by Agropyron dasystachyum (Hook.) Scribn. Respiration rates of intact and experimentally-modified systems were measured in field chambers using alkali-absorption. Removal of green leaves, dead leaves, and litter from a wet sward reduced respiration to as low as 58% of the rate in an intact system. In a dry sward green shoots were the only significant above-ground source of CO₂.Carbon dioxide effluxes from different parts of A. dasystachyum plants, and from soil samples were measured in laboratory vessels at 20° using alkali-absorption. Respiration of green leaves (1.46 mg CO₂ g^-1 h^-1) was significantly higher than microbial respiration in moist, dead leaf samples (0.79 mg CO₂ g^-1 h^-1) or litter (0.75 mg CO₂ g^-1 h^-1). Microbial respiration in air-dried, dead plant material was very low. Average repiration rates of roots separated from soil cores (0.24 mg CO₂ g^-1 h^-1) were lower than many values reported in the literature, probably because the root population sampled included inactive, suberized and senescent roots. Root respiration was estimated to be 17–26% of total CO₂ efflux from intact cores.Laboratory data and field measurements of environmental conditions and plant biomass were combined in order to reconstruct the CO₂ efflux from the shoot-root-soil system. Reconstructed rates were 1.3 to 2.3 times as large as field measured rates, apparently because of stimulation to respiration caused by the experimental manipulations. The standing dead and litter fractions contributed 26% and 23% of the total CO₂ efflux in a wet sward. Both field-measured and reconstructed repiration values suggest that in situ decomposition of standing dead material under moist conditions can be a significant part of carbon balance in mixed grassland.     

Zooplankton and bacteria contribution to phosphorus and nitrogen internal cycling in a tropical and eutrophic reservoir: Pampulha Lake,Brazil

Nutrient regeneration and respiration rates of natural zooplankton from a tropical reservoir were experimentally measured. Excretion rates of ammonia (E_a), orthophosphate (E_p) and community respiration rates (R) were estimated considering the variations in the concentrations of ammonia, orthophosphate and dissolved oxygen between control and experimental units. The ranges obtained for these rates from the 2 h assays were E_a = 1.95–4.95 μg N-NH₄ · mg · DW⁻¹ · h⁻¹; E_p = 0.12–0.76 μg P-PO₄ mg DW⁻¹ · h⁻¹. Respiratory rates were quite constant (R = 0.01–0.02 mg O₂ · mg DW⁻¹ · h⁻¹). The uptake of nutrients due to bacteria can affect the experimental determination of excretion rates of zooplankton. Orthophosphate release increased from 0.28 to 0.82 μg P-PO₄ · mg DW⁻¹ · h⁻¹ when bacterial activity was depleted by antibiotic addition in experimental vessels (Exp IV). This demonstrates that free living bacteria are able to consume promptly most phosphorus excreted by zooplankton. Ammonia excretion rates were lower in experimental units containing antibiotics. Lower excretion rates were also obtained with longer exposure times and higher biomass levels in the experimental units. Finally, this study also showed that zooplankton excretion can affect significantly turn over rates of total phosphorus in Pampulha Reservoir. In some periods, specially during the dry season when zooplankton biomass was very high, phosphorus release by zooplankton, during one single day, can be as high as 40% of the total phosphorus content in lake water (Turn over time = 2.5 days).     

Acclimation of respiration to temperature and CO2 in seedlings of boreal tree species in relation to plant size and relative growth rate

The role of acclimation of dark respiration to temperature and CO₂ concentration and its relationship to growth are critical in determining plant response to predicted global change. We explored temperature acclimation of respiration in seedlings of tree species of the North American boreal forest. Populus tremuloides, Betula papyrifera, Larix laricina, Pinus banksiana, and Picea mariana plants were grown from seed in controlled-environments at current and elevated concentrations of CO₂ (370 and 580 μmol mol^–1) in combination with three temperature treatments of 18/12, 24/18, and 30/24 °C (light/dark period). Specific respiration rates of roots and shoots acclimated to temperature, damping increases in rates across growth-temperature environments compared to short-term temperature responses. Compared at a standard temperature, root and shoot respiration rates were, on average, 40% lower in plants grown at the highest compared to lowest growth temperature. Broad-leaved species had a lower degree of temperature acclimation of respiration than did the conifers. Among species and treatment combinations, rates of respiration were linearly related to size and relative growth rate, and relationships were comparable among growth environments. Specific respiration rates and whole-plant respiratory CO₂ efflux as a proportion of daily net CO₂ uptake increased at higher growth temperatures, but were minimally affected by CO₂ concentration. Whole-plant specific respiration rates were two to three times higher in broad-leaved than coniferous species. However, compared to faster-growing broad-leaved species, slower-growing conifers lost a larger proportion of net daily CO₂ uptake as respiratory CO₂ efflux, especially in roots. Interspecific variation in acclimation responses of dark respiration to temperature is more important than acclimation of respiration to CO₂ enrichment in modifying tree seedling growth responses to projected increases in CO₂ concentration and temperature.     

高寒矮嵩草草甸冬季CO2释放特征

冬季碳排放在高寒草地年内碳平衡中占有重要位置。为探讨高寒草地冬季碳排放特征及温度敏感性,于2003-2005年在中国科学院海北高寒草甸生态系统研究站,利用密闭箱-气相色谱法连续观测了高寒矮嵩草草甸2个冬季的生态系统、土壤呼吸通量特征。结果表明:1)高寒矮嵩草草甸冬季生态系统呼吸、土壤呼吸均具有明显的日变化和季节变化规律,温度是其主要的控制因子,能够解释44%以上的呼吸速率变异。2)冬季生态系统呼吸与土壤呼吸速率在统计上没有显著差异,土壤呼吸占生态系统呼吸的比例高达85%以上。3)2003-2004年冬季生态系统呼吸、土壤呼吸的Q₁₀值分别为1.53,1.38;2004-2005年冬季生态系统呼吸与土壤呼吸的Q₁₀值为1.86,1.68,2个冬季生态系统呼吸的Q₁₀值均高于土壤呼吸。4)未发现高寒矮嵩草草甸冷冬年份的Q₁₀值高于暖冬年份以及冬季的Q₁₀值高于生长季。     

The influence of increasing growth temperature and CO2 concentration on the ratio of respiration to photosynthesis in soybean seedlings

Using controlled environmental growth chambers, whole plants of soybean, cv. ‘Clark’, were examined during early development (7–20 days after sowing) at both ambient (≈ 350 μL L^–1) and elevated (≈ 700 μL L^–1) carbon dioxide and a range of air temperatures (20, 25, 30, and 35 °C) to determine if future climatic change (temperature or CO₂ concentration) could alter the ratio of carbon lost by dark respiration to that gained via photosynthesis. Although whole-plant respiration increased with short-term increases in the measurement temperature, respiration acclimated to increasing growth temperature. Respiration, on a dry weight basis, was either unchanged or lower for the elevated CO₂ grown plants, relative to ambient CO₂ concentration, over the range of growth temperatures. Levels of both starch and sucrose increased with elevated CO₂ concentration, but no interaction between CO₂ and growth temperature was observed. Relative growth rate increased with elevated CO₂ concentration up to a growth temperature of 35 °C. The ratio of respiration to photosynthesis rate over a 24-h period during early development was not altered over the growth temperatures (20–35 °C) and was consistently less at the elevated relative to the ambient CO₂ concentration. The current experiment does not support the proposition that global increases in carbon dioxide and temperature will increase the ratio of respiration to photosynthesis; rather, the data suggest that some plant species may continue to act as a sink for carbon even if carbon dioxide and temperature increase simultaneously.     

Soil CO2 concentration does not affect growth or root respiration in bean or citrus

Contrasting effects of soil CO₂ concentration on root respiration rates during short-term CO₂ exposure, and on plant growth during long-term CO₂ exposure, have been reported. Here we examine the effects of both short- and long-term exposure to soil CO₂ on the root respiration of intact plants and on plant growth for bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and citrus (Citrus volkameriana Tan. & Pasq.). For rapidly growing bean plants, the growth and maintenance components of root respiration were separated to determine whether they differ in sensitivity to soil CO₂. Respiration rates of citrus roots were unaffected by the CO₂ concentration used during the respiration measurements (200 and 2000 μmol mol⁻¹), regardless of the soil CO₂, concentration during the previous month (600 and 20 000 μmol mol⁻¹). Bean plants were grown with their roots exposed to either a natural CO₂ diffusion gradient, or to an artificially maintained CO₂ concentration of 600 or 20 000 μmol mol⁻¹. These treatments had no effect on shoot and root growth. Growth respiration and maintenance respiration of bean roots were also unaffected by CO₂ pretreatment and the CO₂ concentration used during the respiration measurements (200–2000 μmol mol⁻¹). We conclude that soil CO₂ concentrations in the range likely to be encountered in natural soils do not affect root respiration in citrus or bean.     

PRIMARY PRODUCTION,CALCIFICATION, AND AIR-SEA CO2 FLUXES OF A MACROALGAL-DOMINATED CORAL REEF COMMUNITY (MOOREA,FRENCH POLYNESIA)1

Community metabolism and air-sea carbon dioxide (CO₂) fluxes were investigated in July 1992 on a fringing reef at Moorea (French Polynesia). The benthic community was dominated by macroalgae (85% substratum cover) and comprised of Phaeophyceae Padina tenuis (Bory), Turbinaria ornata (Turner) J. Agardh, and Hydroclathrus clathratus Bory (Howe); Chlorophyta Halimeda incrassata f. ovata J. Agardh (Howe); and Ventricaria ventricosa J. Agardh (Olsen et West), as well as several Rhodophyta (Actinotrichia fragilis Forskál (Børgesen) and several species of encrusting coralline algae). Algal biomass was 171 g dry weight· m^?2. Community gross production (P_g), respiration (R), and net calcification (G) were measured in an open-top enclosure. P_g and R were respectively 248 and 240 mmol Co₂·m^?2·d^?1, and there was a slight net dissolution of CaCO₃ (0.8 mmol · m^?2·d^?1). This site was a sink for atmospheric CO₂ (10 ± 4 mmol CO₂·m^?2·d^?1), and the analysis of data from the literature suggests that this is a general feature of algal-dominated reefs. Measurement of air-sea CO₂ fluxes in open water close to the enclosure demonstrated that changes in small-scale hydrodynamics can lead to misleading conclusions. Net CO₂ evasion to the atmosphere was measured on the fringing reef due to changes in the current pattern that drove water from the barrier reef (a C0₂ source) to the study site.     

Growth and maintenance respiration in stems of Quercus alba after four years of CO2 enrichment

Atmospheric CO₂ enrichment is increasingly being reported to inhibit leaf and whole-plant respiration. It is not known, however, whether this response is unique to foliage or whether woody-tissue respiration might be affected as well. This was examined for mid-canopy stem segments of white oak (Quercus alba L.) trees that had been grown in open-top field chambers and exposed to either ambient or ambient + 300 µmol mol^?1 CO₂ over a 4-year period. Stem respiration measurements were made throughout 1992 by using an infrared gas analyzer and a specially designed in situ cuvette. Rates of woody-tissue respiration were similar between CO₂ treatments prior to leaf initiation and after leaf senescence, but were several fold greater for saplings grown at elevated concentrations of CO₂ during much of the growing season. These effects were most evident on 7 July when stem respiration rates for trees exposed to elevated CO₂ concentrations were 7.25 compared to 3.44 µmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1 for ambient-grown saplings. While other explanations must be explored, greater rates of stem respiration for saplings grown at elevated CO₂ concentrations were consistent with greater rates of stem growth and more stem-wood volume present at the time of measurement. When rates of stem growth were at their maximum (7 July to 3 August), growth respiration accounted for about 80 to 85% of the total respiratory costs of stems at both CO₂ treatments, while 15 to 20% supported the costs of stem-wood maintenance. Integrating growth and maintenance respiration throughout the season, taking into account treatment differences in stem growth and volume, indicated that there were no significant effects of elevated CO₂ concentration on either respiratory process. Quantitative estimates that could be used in modeling the costs of woody-tissue growth and maintenance respiration are provided.     

Growth and Maintenance Respiration in Whole Plants, Tops, and Roots of Lolium multiflorum

Continuous measurements of CO₂-exchange were separately carried out on tops and roots of small swards of Lolium multiflorum grown in nutrient solution in growth chamber during 3–4 weeks. From these measurements, a daily carbon balance and accumulated dry matter could be established. The data were used to distinguish between two components of respiration, one proportional to growth or photosynthesis (growth respiration), the other proportional to plant dry weight (maintenance respiration). The separation of respiration in the two components was made by multiple regression analyses with daily photosynthesis or growth rate and accumulated dry matter as the independent variables. To ensure independency between the independent variables during the growth period, photosynthesis was varied by application of alternate three-day periods of high and low irradiance. From the two regression coefficients, the efficiency of converting assimilates into constructive growth (Y_G) and the maintenance coefficient (M) could be derived. Three experiments with varying length of photoperiod and dark period were carried out. The analyses were carried out for whole-plant respiration, respiration of tops and respiration of roots separately. Growth respiration for whole plants as well as for tops and for roots was lower — and hence the efficiencies higher — the longer the photoperiods were. Growth respiration and maintenance respiration were higher for roots than for tops. The high rate of root respiration may originate from release of HCO₃^? in exchange for NO₃^?. The parameters found can be utilized quantitatively in computer models of crop photosynthesis and respiration.     

Photosynthetic characteristics of the shade-adapted C4 grass Muhlenbergia sobolifera (Muhl.) Trin.: control of development of photorespiration by growth temperature

Muhlenbergia sobolifera (Muhl.) Trin., a C₄ grass, occurs in understory habitats in the northeastern United States. Plants of M. sobolifera were grown at 23 and 30°C at 150 and 700 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹. The photosynthetic CO₂ compensation point, maximum CO₂ assimilation, dark respiration and the absorbed quantum use efficiency (QUE) were measured at 23 and 30°C at 2 and 20% O₂. Photosynthetic CO₂ compensation points ranged from 4 to 14mm³ dm⁻³ CO₂ and showed limited O₂ sensitivity. The mean photosynthetic CO₂ compensation point of plants grown at 30°C (4·5 mm³ dm⁻³) was 57% lower and 80% less inhibited by O₂ than that of plants grown at 23°C. Photosynthesis was similarly affected by growth temperature, with 70% more O₂ inhibition in plants grown at 23°C; suppression over all treatments ranging from 2 to 11%. Unlike typical C₄ species, plants of M. sobolifera from both temperature regimes exhibited higher CO₂ assimilation rates when grown at low light. Growth temperature and light also affected QUE; plants grown at low light and 23°C had the highest value (0·068 mol CO₂/mol quanta). Measurement temperature and growth light regime significantly affected dark respiration; however, O² did not affect QUE or dark respiration under any growth or measurement conditions. The results indicate that M. sobolifera is adapted to low PPFD, and that complete suppression of photorespiration is dependent upon high growth temperature.     

AM真菌对紫花苜蓿细根生长及其生物量动态特征的影响

细根对植物功能的发挥和土壤碳库及全球碳循环具有重要意义。采用容器法和微根管法于2013年6~10月整个生长季内对紫花苜蓿的细根生物量、生产以及周转规律进行研究。结果表明:(1)紫花苜蓿活细根现存生物量平均值以接种摩西球囊霉(Gm)处理最高(12.46g·m-2),未接种对照最低(7.31g·m-2),并且活细根现存量在9月中旬达到峰值;死细根现存生物量呈先增加后降低再增加的变化趋势,在整个生长过程中未接种处理高于接种处理,接种根内球囊霉(Gi)处理死细根现存平均生物量(3.11g·m-2)又较接种组其他处理低。(2)苜蓿植株细根生长量以接种幼套球囊霉(Ge)处理最大(0.045 mm·cm-2·d-1),接种Gm处理和未接种对照最低(均为0.027mm·cm-2·d-1);而未接菌植株细根死亡量(0.044mm·cm-2·d-1)显著高于接种植株,接种组又以Gi处理最低(0.021mm·cm-2·d-1)。(3)紫花苜蓿在生长季节内细根生产和死亡的高峰分别出现在8月底和10月份,低谷出现在9月底到10月中旬和6月底到8月;接种地表球囊霉(Gv)后细根现存量和年生长量显著高于对照和接种其他菌种处理,细根的周转以对照组最大,而接种Gv和Gm处理较低。研究发现,通过接种丛植菌根真菌可以提高苜蓿细根生物量,降低细根的死亡,增加细根寿命。     

PHOSPHORUS AND NITROGEN NUTRITION IN CHONDRUS CRISPUS (RHODOPHYTA): EFFECTS ON TOTAL PHOSPHORUS AND NITROGEN CONTENT,CARRAGEENAN PRODUCTION,AND PHOTOSYNTHETIC PIGMENTS AND METABOLISM1

The existence of a phenomenon in phosphorus (P) nutrition comparable to the “Neish effect” in nitrogen (N) nutrition (an inverse relation between seawater N enrichment and carrageenan content) was investigated in the temperate red alga Chondrus crispus Stackhouse. Plants were preconditioned for 17 d and then cultured under varying enrichments of P (0, 3, 6, 10, 15 μM P·wk^?1) and a constant N enrichment (53.5 μM N·wk^?1) for 5 wk. Tissue total P, tissue total N, and carrageenan contents were then determined. Identical experiments were performed using C. crispus collected during the fall, winter, spring, and summer seasons. The procedure was repeated using material collected during the following fall season and cultured under constant P (6 μM P·wk^?1) and varying N enrichments (0, 3, 6, 10, 25 μM N·wk^?1). In the fall (P) experiment, carrageenan content was the highest [53.1 ± 0.3% DW (dry weight)], and tissue total P content was the lowest (1.71 ± 0.27 mg P·g DW^?1) in plants that received no P enrichment. Carrageenan content was stable (46.1 ± 1.8% DW) for plants given enrichments of 3 μM P·wk^?1 and greater. Thus, a decrease in carrageenan content, concomitant with an increase in tissue total P content, was observed, but only at tissue total P levels below 2 mg P·g DW^?1. As these levels were always higher than 2 mg P·g DW^?1 in the winter, spring, and summer experiments, carrageenan content remained constant within each season at 46.2 ± 1.3, 43.1 m 0.7, and 44.5 ± 0.6% DW, respectively. Nitrogen enrichment of plants collected in the fall did not affect carrageenan content, which was stable at 49.3 ± 0.9% DW. When these plants were compared with those of the previous fall experiment (6 μM P·wk^?1 and 53.5 μM N·wk^?1), a slight increase in carrageenan content was noted. Thus, at sufficiently high concentration, N also decreased carrageenan content in C. crispus. Phosphorus nutrition had no significant effect on photosynthesis versus irradiance parameters (P_max, α, R_d, I_c, and I_k), the contents of the photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll-a, phycoerythrin (PE), phycocyanin (PC), and allophycocyanin (APC), and the ratios PE:APC and PC:APC. In contrast, N nutrition affected both P_maxand the photosynthetic pigment contents. The data indicate that N limitation reduces the number of phycobilisomes but not their size. The greater reduction in phycobiliprotein than chlorophyll-acontent corroborates the natural bleaching phenomenon regularly observed in C. crispus populations during summer when N levels are generally low in seawater. These results suggest that C. crispus in the temperate waters of the Bay of Fundy may experience N limitation, but P limitation is unlikely.     

Carbon fluxes in the rhizosphere of sweet chestnut seedlings (Castanea sativa) grown under two atmospheric CO2 concentrations: 14C partitioning after pulse labelling

Partitioning of ¹⁴C was assessed in sweet chestnut seedlings (Castanea sativa Mill.) grown in ambient and elevated atmospheric [CO₂] environments during two vegetative cycles. The seedlings were exposed to ¹⁴CO₂ atmosphere in both high and low [CO₂] environments for a 6-day pulse period under controlled laboratory conditions. Six days after exposure to ¹⁴CO₂, the plants were harvested, their dry mass and the radioactivity were evaluated. ¹⁴C concentration in plant tissues, root-soil system respiratory outputs and soil residues (rhizodeposition) were measured. Root production and rhizodeposition were increased in plants growing in elevated atmospheric [CO₂]. When measuring total respiration, i.e. CO₂ released from the root/soil system, it is difficult to separate CO₂ originating from roots and that coming from the rhizospheric microflora. For this reason a model accounting for kinetics of exudate mineralization was used to estimate respiration of rhizospheric microflora and roots separately. Root activity (respiration and exudation) was increased at the higher atmospheric CO₂ concentration. The proportion attributed to root respiration accounted for 70 to 90% of the total respiration. Microbial respiration was related to the amount of organic carbon available in the rhizosphere and showed a seasonal variation dependent upon the balance of root exudation and respiration. The increased carbon assimilated by plants grown under elevated atmospheric [CO₂] stayed equally distributed between these increased root activities. ei]H Lambers     

Strong seasonal patterns of DOC release by a temperate seaweed community: Implications for the coastal ocean carbon cycle

Release of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by seaweed underpins the microbial food web and is crucial for the coastal ocean carbon cycle. However, we know relatively little of seasonal DOC release patterns in temperate regions of the southern hemisphere. Strong seasonal changes in inorganic nitrogen availability, irradiance, and temperature regulate the growth of seaweeds on temperate reefs and influence DOC release. We seasonally surveyed and sampled seaweed at Coal Point, Tasmania, over 1 year. Dominant species with or without carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) were collected for laboratory experiments to determine seasonal rates of DOC release. During spring and summer, substantial DOC release (10.06–33.54 μmol C · g DW⁻¹ · h⁻¹) was observed for all species, between 3 and 27 times greater than during autumn and winter. Our results suggest that inorganic carbon (C_i) uptake strategy does not regulate DOC release. Seasonal patterns of DOC release were likely a result of photosynthetic overflow during periods of high gross photosynthesis indicated by variations in tissue C:N ratios. For each season, we calculated a reef-scale net DOC release for seaweed at Coal Point of 7.84–12.9 g C · m⁻² · d⁻¹ in spring and summer, which was ~16 times greater than in autumn and winter (0.2–1.0 g C · m⁻² · d⁻¹). Phyllospora comosa, which dominated the biomass, contributed the most DOC to the coastal ocean, up to ~14 times more than Ecklonia radiata and the understory assemblage combined. Reef-scale DOC release was driven by seasonal changes in seaweed physiology rather than seaweed biomass.     

Respiration,energy balance and development during growth and starvation of Carcinus maenas L. larvae (Decapoda:Portunidae)

In all larval stages of Carcinus maenas L. oxygen consumption was measured at three temperatures (12,18,25 °C). Values increased during development and were in the range of 0.037 ± 0.01 (zoea-1, 12°C, $\text{x}\text{?}\text{± 95\% CL}$) to 0.734 ± 0.047 μl O₂ · h^?1 · ind^?1 (megalopa, 25 °C). Growing larvae showed temperature dependent trends in weight specific respiration rates (referred to dry wt; DW), with values between ≈2.4 and 9.4 μl O₂· h^?1·mg DW^?1. Increase in oxygen consumption of megalops did not differ much at temperatures between 18 and 25 °C. This points to an exceptional physiological position of this stage. Fed zoea-1 of C. maenas (18 °C) revealed growth rates in terms of 40% DW, 20% carbon (C), 30% nitrogen (N) and 65% hydrogen (H). At the same time larvae gained individual energy by 13% (J · ind^?1), while weight specific energy dropped by ≈ 19% (J · mg DW^?1) during the first day and remained constant until the moult. Starved zoea-1 of C. maenas (18 ° C) gained ≈ 20 % in DW through the first day, probably caused by inorganic salts which enter the organism after the moult of the prezoea. DW dropped to ≈ 25 % of initial value, when starvation continued. Single components decreased by ≈50% (C), 54% (N), 57% (J · ind^?1). Weight specific energy (J · mg DW^?1) decreased by 40% during the first 4 days of starvation, remaining constant thereafter. Individual respiration rate (R) dropped by 61 %, weight specific respiration rate (QO₂) by 55 %. Individual energy loss in starved zoea-1 was 0.077 J over a period of 11 days. In this period ≈ 9.3 μl O₂·ind^?1 were consumed. Thus effective oxygen capacity was lower than in growing larvae. It dropped to 5.3 J·mlO₂^?1 after 4 days and remained constant if starvation continued, i.e. 65 % of possible energy loss occurred during the first 4 days. Decrease in requirement for oxygen and its effective capacity were both recognized as independent components of survival during starvation. Partitioning of energy through individual larval development of C. maenas was investigated for all five larval stages. The cumulative budget could be calculated: consumption (C) = 28.23 J, growth (G) = 0.92 J, exoskeleton (Ex) = 0.20 J, metabolism (M) = 5.30 J, egestion and excretion (E) = 21.82 J. Mean gross and net growth efficiency were, K₁ = 3.3% and K₂ = 14.8%, respectively.     

Responses of Photosynthetic and Defence Systems to High Temperature Stress in Quercus suber L Seedlings Grown under Elevated CO2

Abstract: Growth in elevated CO₂ led to an increase in biomass production per plant as a result of enhanced carbon uptake and lower rates of respiration, compared to ambient CO₂-grown plants. No down-regulation of photosynthesis was found after six months of growth under elevated CO₂. Photosynthetic rates at 15°C or 35 °C were also higher in elevated than in ambient CO₂-grown plants, when measured at their respective CO₂ growth condition. Stomata of elevated CO₂-grown plants were less responsive to temperature as compared to ambient CO₂ plants. The after effect of a heat-shock treatment (4 h at 45 °C in a chamber with 80% of relative humidity and 800–1000 tmol m^-2 s^-1 photon flux density) on A_max was less in elevated than in ambient CO₂-grown plants. At the photochemical level, the negative effect of the heat-shock treatment was slightly more pronounced in ambient than in elevated CO₂-grown plants. A greater tolerance to oxidative stress caused by high temperatures in elevated CO₂-grown plants, in comparison to ambient CO₂ plants, is suggested by the increase in superoxide dismutase activity, after 1 h at 45 °C, as well as its relatively high activity after 2 and 4 h of the heat shock in the elevated CO₂-grown plants in contrast with the decrease to residual levels of superoxide dismutase activity in ambient CO₂-grown plants immediately after 1 h at 45 °C. The observed increase in catalase after 1 h at 45 °C in both ambient and elevated CO₂-grown plants, can be ascribed to the higher rates of photorespiration and respiration under this high temperature.     

Photomineralization in a boreal hydroelectric reservoir: a comparison with natural aquatic ecosystems

In order to evaluate the role of photochemistry in the carbon dioxide (CO₂) generation from a 10-year-old boreal reservoir, the photomineralization of dissolved organic matter (DOM) was assessed and compared to a boreal river as well as to boreal and temperate lakes during July and August, 2003. Sterile water samples were irradiated by sunlight over the whole photoperiod and subsequently analyzed for CO₂. Mean energy-normalized apparent photochemical yield of CO₂ (an index of DOM photoreactivity normalized for the energy absorbed by samples) was significantly higher in the reservoir (27.7 ± 13.0 mg CO₂·m⁻³·kJ⁻¹) and the boreal river (35.8 ± 2.3 mg CO₂·m⁻³·kJ⁻¹) than in the boreal lakes (15.5 ± 5.1 mg CO₂·m⁻³·kJ⁻¹). The DOM photoreactivity of the temperate lakes (20.9 ± 8.1 mg CO₂·m⁻³·kJ⁻¹) was not statistically different from any type of boreal water bodies. There was no significant difference in either the integrated photoproduction of CO₂ (273–433 mg CO₂·m⁻²·d⁻¹) or the potential photochemical contribution to CO₂ diffusive fluxes (56–92%) among these water bodies. DOM photoreactivity was significantly affected by the cumulative hydrological residence time (CHRT) when considering the whole data set. However, when considering only the boreal water bodies, iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) also intervened. The fact that DOM photoreactivity was related to CHRT as well as to Fe and Mn concentrations, which are respectively permanent and long-lasting features of the reservoir, suggests that the photoproduction of CO₂ is not likely to decrease over time. This process may therefore play a substantial role in the long-term CO₂ emissions from boreal reservoirs during the summer, its potential contribution to CO₂ diffusive fluxes being estimated at 56 ± 29 %.     

Soil water content and temperature as independent or confounded factors controlling soil respiration in a temperate mixed hardwood forest

Variation in soil temperature can account for most of the seasonal and diel variation in soil CO₂ efflux, but the temperature effect is not always consistent, and other factors such as soil water content are known to influence soil respiration. The objectives of this research were to study the spatial and temporal variation in soil respiration in a temperate forested landscape and to evaluate temperature and soil water functions as predictors of soil respiration. Soil CO₂ fluxes were measured with chambers throughout an annual cycle in six study areas at the Harvard Forest in central Massachusetts that include soil drainage classes from well drained to very poorly drained. The mean annual estimate of soil CO₂ efflux was 7.2 Mg ha^–1, but ranged from 5.3 in the swamp site to 8.5 in a well-drained site, indicating that landscape heterogeneity is related to soil drainage class. An exponential function relating CO₂ fluxes to soil temperature accounted for 80% of the seasonal variation in fluxes across all sites (Q₁₀ = 3.9), but the Q₁₀ ranged from 3.4 to 5.6 for the individual study sites. A significant drought in 1995 caused rapid declines in soil respiration rates in August and September in five of the six sites (a swamp site was the exception). This decline in CO₂ fluxes correlated exponentially with decreasing soil matric potential, indicating a mechanistic effect of drought stress. At moderate to high water contents, however, soil water content was negatively correlated with soil temperature, which precluded distinguishing between the effects of these two confounded factors on CO₂ flux. Occurrence of high Q₁₀ values and variation in Q₁₀ values among sites may be related to: (i) confounding effects of high soil water content; (ii) seasonal and diel patterns in root respiration and turnover of fine roots that are linked to above ground phenology and metabolism; and (iii) variation in the depth where CO₂ is produced. The Q₁₀ function can yield reasonably good predictions of annual fluxes of CO₂, but it is a simplification that masks responses of root and microbial processes to variation in temperature and water content throughout the soil.     

Contribution of Lolium perenne rhizodeposition to carbon turnover of pasture soil

Carbon rhizodeposition and root respiration during eight development stages of Lolium perenne were studied on a loamy Gleyic Cambisol by ¹⁴CO₂ pulse labelling of shoots in a two compartment chamber under controlled laboratory conditions. Total ¹⁴CO₂ efflux from the soil (root respiration, microbial respiration of exudates and dead roots) in the first 8 days after ¹⁴C pulse labelling decreased during plant development from 14 to 6.5% of the total ¹⁴C input. Root respiration accounted for was between 1.5 and 6.5% while microbial respiration of easily available rhizodeposits and dead root remains were between 2 and 8% of the ¹⁴C input. Both respiration processes were found to decline during plant development, but only the decrease in root respiration was significant. The average contribution of root respiration to total ¹⁴CO₂ efflux from the soil was approximately 41%. Close correlation was found between cumulative ¹⁴CO₂ efflux from the soil and the time when maximum ¹⁴CO₂ efflux occurred (r=0.97). The average total of CO₂ Defflux from the soil with Lolium perenne was approximately 21 μg C-CO₂ d⁻¹ g⁻¹. It increased slightly during plant development. The contribution of plant roots to total CO₂ efflux from the soil, calculated as the remainder from respiration of bare soil, was about 51%. The total ¹⁴C content after 8 days in the soil with roots ranged from 8.2 to 27.7% of assimilated carbon. This corresponds to an underground carbon transfer by Lolium perenne of 6–10 g C m⁻² at the beginning of the growth period and 50–65 g C m⁻² towards the end of the growth period. The conventional root washing procedure was found to be inadequate for the determination of total carbon input in the soil because 90% of the young fine roots can be lost. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.