Floods increase carbon dioxide and methane fluxes in agricultural streams

1. Changes in climate are causing floods to occur more often and more intensely in many parts of the world, including agricultural landscapes of southern Wisconsin (U.S.A.). How flooding and greater flood frequency affect stream carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) fluxes and concentrations is not obvious. Thus, we asked how diffusive fluxes of CO₂ and CH₄ varied over time, particularly in response to floods, in agricultural streams, and what were likely causes for observed flood responses.
2. We measured concentrations and diffusive fluxes of CO₂ and CH₄ at 10 stream sites in mixed agricultural and suburban catchments in southern Wisconsin (U.S.A.) during the growing season (March–November) in a year that experienced multiple floods. Habitat, hydrologic, and water chemistry attributes were also quantified to determine likely drivers of changes in gas concentrations and fluxes.
3. Habitat and water chemistry, as well as CO₂ and CH₄ concentrations and fluxes were temporally erratic and lacked any seasonality. Carbon dioxide and CH₄ concentrations and fluxes were higher during floods along with increased water velocity, turbidity, and dissolved organic carbon and decreases in dissolved oxygen, soft sediment depth, and macrophyte cover.
4. Increased gas concentrations and fluxes were probably due to flushing of gases from soils, respiration of organic matter in the channel, and increased gas exchange velocities during floods.
5. Flooding alleviated both supply and transfer limits on CO₂ and CH₄ emissions in these agricultural streams, and frequent and prolonged flooding during the growing season led to sustained high emissions from these streams. We hypothesise that such persistent increases in emissions during floods may be a common response to high precipitation periods for many agricultural streams.

     

不同耕作措施下旱地农田土壤呼吸及其影响因素

为探讨耕作措施对旱地农田土壤呼吸的影响,采用动态气室法在山西寿阳地区对秸秆还田、免耕覆盖、浅旋耕、常规耕作4种耕作措施下玉米生长季土壤呼吸及影响因子进行了测定和分析。结果表明,4种耕作措施下土壤呼吸速率的日和季节变化规律明显,均呈单峰型,呼吸速率的日峰值出现在11:30 13:30,呼吸速率的季节峰值出现在7月上旬至中旬。浅旋耕、秸秆还田、常规耕作、免耕覆盖措施整个生长季平均土壤呼吸速率分别为2.82、2.77、2.64μmolCO.2m-.2s-1和2.49μmolCO.2m-.2s-1,处理间无显著差异。研究结果还显示土壤温度和湿度是影响旱地农田土壤呼吸的主要因子,二者分别解释了土壤呼吸季节变化的55%78%,20%43%。4种措施下土壤呼吸的温度敏感系数Q10值在2.19 3.07之间,大小依次为免耕覆盖浅旋耕秸秆还田常规耕作。对水分的敏感性依次为免耕覆盖秸秆还田浅旋耕常规耕作。     

Elevated UV-B radiation alters fluxes of methane and carbon dioxide in peatland microcosms

Increases in solar ultraviolet‐B radiation (UV‐B; 280–320 nm) reaching the earth have been estimated to continue until 2050s in the boreal and subarctic regions with an abundant peatland cover. Peatlands are significant sinks for carbon dioxide (CO₂) and sources for methane (CH₄). To assess whether the future increases in UV‐B could affect the fluxes of CO₂ and CH₄ in peatlands via an impact on vegetation, we exposed peatland microcosms to modulated 30% supplementation of erythemally weighted UV‐B at an outdoor facility for one growing season. The experimental design included appropriate controls for UV‐A and ambient radiation. The UV‐B caused a significant reduction in gross photosynthesis, net ecosystem CO₂ exchange, and CH₄ emission of the peatland microcosms. These changes in the carbon gas cycling can be partly explained by UV‐B‐induced morphological changes in Eriophorum vaginatum which acts as a conduit for CH₄. Leaf cross section and the percentage of CH₄‐conducting aerenchymatous tissue in E. vaginatum were significantly reduced by UV‐B. Methanol‐extractable UV‐B absorbing compounds decreased under both UV‐B and UV‐A in Sphagnum angustifolium, and tended to accumulate under UV‐B in S. papillosum. Membrane permeability to magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) ions was higher in UV‐B exposed S. angustifolium. Amount of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments was increased by UV‐A in S. magellanicum. The observed changes in Sphagnum mosses did not coincide with those in carbon gas fluxes but occurred at the time of the highest UV intensity in the mid summer. Our findings indicate that increasing UV‐B may have more substantial effects on gas exchange in peatlands than previously thought.     

Agriculture's impact on microbial diversity and associated fluxes of carbon dioxide and methane

Agriculture has marked impacts on the production of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and consumption of methane (CH₄) by microbial communities in upland soils—Earth''s largest biological sink for atmospheric CH₄. To determine whether the diversity of microbes that catalyze the flux of these greenhouse gases is related to the magnitude and stability of these ecosystem-level processes, we conducted molecular surveys of CH₄-oxidizing bacteria (methanotrophs) and total bacterial diversity across a range of land uses and measured the in situ flux of CH₄ and CO₂ at a site in the upper United States Midwest. Conversion of native lands to row-crop agriculture led to a sevenfold reduction in CH₄ consumption and a proportionate decrease in methanotroph diversity. Sites with the greatest stability in CH₄ consumption harbored the most methanotroph diversity. In fields abandoned from agriculture, the rate of CH₄ consumption increased with time along with the diversity of methanotrophs. Conversely, estimates of total bacterial diversity in soil were not related to the rate or stability of CO₂ emission. These combined results are consistent with the expectation that microbial diversity is a better predictor of the magnitude and stability of processes catalyzed by organisms with highly specialized metabolisms, like CH₄ oxidation, as compared with processes driven by widely distributed metabolic processes, like CO₂ production in heterotrophs. The data also suggest that managing lands to conserve or restore methanotroph diversity could mitigate the atmospheric concentrations of this potent greenhouse gas.     

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.     

旱地农田不同耕作系统的能量/碳平衡

摘要：加强农田土壤保持耕作管理,科学认识和调控农田耕作系统能流碳流,提高农业生态系统固碳减排能力,对于减缓农业对全球温室效应的贡献具有重要意义。本研究以北方半湿润偏旱区山西寿阳旱作春玉米土壤保持耕作试验研究为基础,利用田间定位观测数据、辅助能投入参数,土壤呼吸田间原位测定,以及农业生态系统能量/碳平衡分析及碳循环过程模拟方法,综合分析和比较不同耕作（CT传统、RT少耕和NT免耕）系统能量/碳平衡及能-碳关联影响。与CT比较,采用RT和NT措施下工业能耗CO2-C损失降低约4%—12%（相当11—35 kg CO2-C?hm-2?a-1）。在RT和NT系统下耗能系数可降低约6%—10%,能量生产效率可提高约7%—12%。2006—2007年由田间原位测定土壤呼吸CO2-C释放通量估算,在玉米休闲期（尤其是秋耕处理后）,NT条件下土壤呼吸速率一般为最低（NT NT（2005380）>CT（1987375）。不同耕作下的玉米籽粒产量与生育期土壤呼吸通量趋势基本吻合,如2006-2007年玉米产量（kg?hm-2?a-1）平均为,RT（5614268）>NT（5533564）>CT（5487278）。玉米籽粒产量与生育期土壤呼吸通量之间呈密切相关（R2=0.88）。本研究结果得出,RT和NT对农田耕作系统的影响呈碳汇效应,且一般为NT >RT;而CT处理表现为碳源。RT和NT通过增加土壤碳投入是维持和提高土壤有机碳的有效途径。     

Germination and production ofMacrophomina phaseolina microsclerotia as affected by oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration

Summary Germination of microsclerotia ofMacrophomina phaseolina was observed at O₂ concentrations of 16% or higher in autoclaved soil. Germination was delayed but otherwise unaffected as O₂ decreased from 21 to 16% and was in all cases complete in 32 hours. Laboratory-produced microsclerotia consistently germinated more rapidly and seemed more independent of O₂ concentrations within the range that permitted germination than naturallyproduced microsclerotia.Population changes in soil as measured by microsclerotial counts were inversely correlated with depth of interment and reduced O₂ concentration. Our inability to detect significantly growth responses ofM. phaseolina in non autoclaved soil was apparently related to limited O₂ although other possibilities are discussed.Contribution of the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station Scientific Journal Series No. 9124.     

Growth and chemical composition of dry beans as affected by soil salinity and N fertilization

Summary The effects of three levels of N (0, 50 and 100 ppm) and four salinity regimes (0.5, 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 mmhos/cm) on the growth and mineral composition of dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were investigated in a greenhouse experiment. Bean plants treated with N produced more dry weight and contained higher N than the untreated check. Growth and N uptake by bean plants generally decreased with increasing irrigation water salinity at all N levels. High salinity caused severe burning of the margins of older leaves and stunting of growth. At the low salinity levels (0.5 and 1.5 mmhos/cm), N additions had no effect on growth; however, the suppressing effects of higher salinity were alleviated somewhat with N fertilization.The concentration and uptake of Cl and Na increased with increasing salinity; probably the relatively high accumulations of Cl and Na were responsible for growth reductions at high salinity.     

Radiative forcing of methane fluxes offsets net carbon dioxide uptake for a tropical flooded forest

Wetlands are important sources of methane (CH₄) and sinks of carbon dioxide (CO₂). However, little is known about CH₄ and CO₂ fluxes and dynamics of seasonally flooded tropical forests of South America in relation to local carbon (C) balances and atmospheric exchange. We measured net ecosystem fluxes of CH₄ and CO₂ in the Pantanal over 2014–2017 using tower‐based eddy covariance along with C measurements in soil, biomass and water. Our data indicate that seasonally flooded tropical forests are potentially large sinks for CO₂ but strong sources of CH₄, particularly during inundation when reducing conditions in soils increase CH₄ production and limit CO₂ release. During inundation when soils were anaerobic, the flooded forest emitted 0.11 ± 0.002 g CH₄‐C m^?2 d^?1 and absorbed 1.6 ± 0.2 g CO₂‐C m^?2 d^?1 (mean ± 95% confidence interval for the entire study period). Following the recession of floodwaters, soils rapidly became aerobic and CH₄ emissions decreased significantly (0.002 ± 0.001 g CH₄‐C m^?2 d^?1) but remained a net source, while the net CO₂ flux flipped from being a net sink during anaerobic periods to acting as a source during aerobic periods. CH₄ fluxes were 50 times higher in the wet season; DOC was a minor component in the net ecosystem carbon balance. Daily fluxes of CO₂ and CH₄ were similar in all years for each season, but annual net fluxes varied primarily in relation to flood duration. While the ecosystem was a net C sink on an annual basis (absorbing 218 g C m^?2 (as CH₄‐C + CO₂‐C) in anaerobic phases and emitting 76 g C m^?2in aerobic phases), high CH₄ effluxes during the anaerobic flooded phase and modest CH₄ effluxes during the aerobic phase indicate that seasonally flooded tropical forests can be a net source of radiative forcings on an annual basis, thus acting as an amplifying feedback on global warming.     

Seasonal changes of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as affected by tillage practices and fertilization : Hyphal density and mycorrhizal root colonization

The influence of tillage practices on native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was studied in two, consecutive years in eastern Canada, in two 11 year-old long-term tillage-fertilizer experimental field soils, a sandy loam and a clay, growing corn in monoculture. The three tillage practices were: 1) conventional tillage (CT; fall plowing plus spring disking), reduced tillage (RT; spring disking) and no-till (NT). The corn crop received either inorganic (N and K) or organic (liquid dairy manure) fertilizers. Mycorrhizal hyphal density was estimated from soil samples obtained in early spring (before disking), at the 12–14 leaf stage, at silking, and at harvest. The percentage of corn root colonization by AMF at the 12–14 leaf stage, at silking and at harvest was also determined. The sandy loam was sampled over two consecutive seasons and the clay soil over one season.Densities of total and metabolically active soil hyphae, and mycorrhizal root colonization were significantly lower in CT soil than in RT and NT soil. Lowest soil hyphal densities were observed in early spring. The levels of intra- and extraradical fungal colonization always increased from spring to silking and decreased thereafter. Spring disking had only a small and transient negative effect on hyphal abundance in soil. Fertilization did not influence mycorrhizal colonization of corn or abundance of soil hyphae in the sandy loam soil, but in the clay soil metabolically active hyphae were more abundant with manure application than with mineral fertilization. In 1992, in both soils different tillage systems had same grain yield, however, in 1993, corn yield was higher in NT compared to CT system.     

Carbon dioxide and methane fluxes from a barley field amended with organic fertilizers under Mediterranean climatic conditions

A field experiment was carried out in a non-irrigated barley crop (Hordeum vulgare L. cv Bornova) with the aims of evaluating the effects of applying organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) fluxes and assessing the residual effect of these fertilizers after the first rainfall events of autumn. Both soil CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes seemed to be dependent on temperature. The soils were a net sink for CH₄ and the application of inorganic fertilizers reduced the sink potential. CO₂ emissions increased following the application of fertilizers and after the first rainfall events in the autumn. The use of digested pig slurry caused a reduction of the CO₂ equivalents produced per unit of crop yield.     

Post-illumination burst of carbon dioxide inPhaseolus vulgaris L. as affected by leaf temperature

The effect of leaf temperature on the post-illumination burst of CO₂ (PIB) in 15 day-old primary bean leaves (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was studied by means of infrared gas analysis in a closed gas exchange system. The amplitude and kinetic of PIB was different with its own characteristic course for different temperature steps. The temperature optimum for the PIB at 21% O₂ near the carbon dioxide compensation concentration Λ (150 mg m^-3) was 33 °C while that for net photosynthetic rate (P _N) at 21% O₂ and 600 mg m^-3 CO₂ was 24.5 °C. The PIB was observed to 12…33 s after the darkening of leaves. No PIB was observed at 2% O₂. The applicability of PIB as an estimate of photorespiration rateR _p has been proved by comparing it with extrapolation of the relationship betweenP _n and CO₂ concentration to zero.     

Genotypic variations in carbon isotope discrimination, transpiration efficiency, and biomass production in rice as affected by soil water conditions and N

Genotypic and environmental (soil water regime and N level) variation in carbon isotope discrimination (CID) in relation to the gas exchange, transpiration efficiency (A/T), and biomass production were investigated in field experiments using eleven rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes. The results showed that genotype was more dominant for variation in CID than in total biomass. Genotypic ranking in CID was consistent across environments because of small genotype × environment interactions. Japonica genotypes tended to have lower CID than indica genotypes. Higher soil water and lower N rate significantly increased CID. Variation in CID was slightly smaller for water regime than for genotype. There was a negative correlation between CID andA/T among genotypes within water regimes. Genotypic variation in CID was associated mainly with variation in stomatal conductance under all soil water regimes and with photosynthetic capacity in late growth stages under aerobic soil conditions. The decrease in CID at higher N was probably due to lower stomatal conductance under aerobic soil conditions and to higher photosynthetic rates under submerged soil conditions. The correlation between biomass and CID was not clear in aerobic soil, whereas it was positive in submerged soil, which indicated that the significance of lower or higher CID for improving biomass productivity may differ under different soil water regimes. Overall, the results implied a possible use of CID as a selection criterion for genotypic improvement inA/T and productivity in rice.     

新疆天山高寒草原不同放牧管理下的CO_2,CH_4和N_2O通量特征

以中国科学院新疆巴音布鲁克草原生态站为依托,于2010年5月—2011年10月利用静态箱-气相色谱法对短期禁牧(2005年围封)、长期禁牧(1984年围封)和自由放牧(冬季放牧)3种草地的CO2、CH4、N2O气体通量进行了野外连续试验研究。结果表明:新疆天山高寒草原对CO2,CH4和N2O通量表现出明显的季节排放特点。在植物的生长季(5—10月),新疆天山高寒短期禁牧、长期禁牧和自由放牧草原的CO2通量平均值分别为:(89.8±49.3)、(52.8±28.7)、(57.0±30.7)mg·m-2·h-1,CH4通量平均值分别为:(-66.3±21.3)、(-104.5±32.8)、(-103.0±39.0)μg·m-2·h-1,N2O通量平均值分别为:(21.2±11.8)、(13.6±6.9)、(13.2±6.2)μg·m-2·h-1;短期禁牧草原与长期禁牧和自由放牧草原CH4平均通量具有显著性差异(P0.05),但CO2和N2O差异不显著(P0.05)。在植物的非生长季(11月—翌年4月),新疆天山高寒短期禁牧、长期禁牧以及自由放牧草原的3种温室气体的通量较低且差异均不显著。     

Effects of carbon dioxide and methane on methanogenesis

Summary A mixed microbial culture, enriched from sewage sludge, was cultivated on a glucose medium in a high turbulence fermentor at constant temperature, pH and loading rate. Effects of high pCO₂ (0.95 atm) and pCH₄ (0.90 atm) were compared to those of low pCO₂ (0.05 atm) and pCH₄ (0.05 atm). Generally, rapid in creases in pCO₂ resulted in rapid decreases in methane production and, conversely rapid decreases in pCO₂ by N₂-sparging resulted in rapid increases in methane production. Decreased values of methane production were also accompanied by acetic acid accumulation. No inhibiting effects of high pCH₄ were detected. A method to obtain low pCO₂ by gas recycling combined with CO₂-absorption is proposed.     

Tree size and flowering intensity as affected by nitrogen fertilization in non-bearing orange trees grown under Mediterranean conditions

A field experiment was conducted in the South of Portugal with young (0-3 years old) non-bearing ‘Lane Late’ orange trees. Five nitrogen (N) rates were used in a randomised block design with three replicates. The 180 g N tree⁻¹ over three years led to the greatest canopy width (176 cm) and volume (2,697 dm³). The greatest rate applied (720 g N tree⁻¹ in the three years) led to the largest flower yield. Nitrogen concentration in the flowers significantly increased with fertilizer N, and also with the flowering period up to the 23^rd day, declining thereafter. Flower yield was strongly correlated (r = 0.99, p < 0.001) with flower N concentration. Nutrient composition of flowers and of mature leaves from the spring flush was compared. Significant correlations were found for N (r = 0.47, p <0.01), P (r = -0.49, p <0.01), K (r = 0.44, p <0.05) and Ca (r = 0.87, p <0.001), suggesting that flowers can be used as a tool to diagnose the nutritional status of trees. Canonical analysis (with N treatment as dummy-variables) showed strong relationships between canopy width and N, which were greater at the larger rates of fertilizer application, and strong and inverse relationships between K and Mg, also with the greatest N rates.     

Growth of bean and tomato plants as affected by root absorbed growth substances and atmospheric carbon dioxide

Summary Bean and tomato plants were grown in solution culture root media containing pre-determined concentrations of gibberellin A₃ (GA), 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), N⁶-benzyladenine (BA), (2-chloroethyl)trimethylammonium chloride (CCC), and at atmospheric levels of 300 and 1000 ppm of CO₂. Net assimilation rates (NAR), relative growth rates (RGR), leaf area ratios (LAR), root to top dry weight ratios (R/T) and changes in dry weight, size, and form of each organ were recorded.Gibberellin had no effect on RGR of either plant species but increased the NAR of tomatoes at 1000 ppm CO₂. Total dry weight was only slightly affected by GA but root growth and R/T were markedly depressed. CCC had no effect on NAR, but decreased RCR and LAR. Root growth of beans and R/T in both plants were promoted by CCC. NAR and RGR were strongly inhibited by BA and NAA. Inhibition of stem and leaf growth by CCC and NAA was greater than that for roots; thus, R/T ratios were increased. Root branching was promoted by NAA.High (1000 ppm), compared to the low (300 ppm), atmospheric levels of CO₂ generally promoted root growth and produced an increase in the R/T, both in the absence and presence of chemical treatment. The multiplicity of effects of the rootabsorbed chemical growth substances and CO₂ on growth and photosynthesis is discussed.Journal article No 3883 of the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station.NATO Fellow, University of Pisa, Italy.     

Soil water content, maize yield and its stability as affected by tillage and crop residue management in rainfed semi-arid highlands

Rainfed crop management systems need to be optimized to provide more resilient options to cope with projected climatic scenarios forecasting a decrease in mean precipitation and more frequent extreme drought periods in Mexico. Soil water content (0?C60 cm) was measured during three crop cycles in maize plots with different agronomic management practices in a long-term rainfed experiment (established in 1991) in the highlands of Mexico. Maize yields of 1997?C2009 were reported. Crop management practices varied in (1) tillage (conventional [CT] vs. zero tillage [ZT]) and (2) residue management (full or partial retention and removal). ZT with residue retention had higher soil water content than management practices involving CT and ZT with residue removal which provided a buffer for drought periods during the growing seasons. In 2009, a cycle with a prolonged drought during vegetative growth, this resulted in yield differences of up to 4.7 Mg ha^?1 between ZT with (partial) residue retention and the other practices. Averaged over 1997?C2009, these practices had a yield advantage of approximately 1.5 Mg ha^?1 over practices involving CT and ZT with residue removal. ZT with (partial) residue retention used rainfall more efficiently and resulted in a more resilient agronomic system than practices involving either CT or ZT with residue removal.     

Spray drift as affected by meteorological conditions

Spray drift can be defined as the quantity of plant protection product that is carried out of the sprayed (treated) area by the action of air currents during the application process. This continues to be a major problem in applying agricultural pesticides. The purpose of this research is to measure and compare the amount of drift for different climatological conditions under field conditions. Spray drift was determined by sampling in a defined downwind area at different positions in a flat meadow using horizontal drift collectors (sedimenting spray drift) and pipe cleaners (airborne spray drift) for a reference spraying. Meteorological conditions were monitored during each experiment. A drift prediction equation for the reference spraying was set up to predict the expected magnitude of sedimenting drift at various drift distances and atmospheric conditions (wind speed and temperature). This equation can be used to compare measurements using other spraying techniques under different weather conditions to the reference spraying. In 2005, more measurements will be performed to validate the statements and the model reflected in this paper.     

Snow depth, soil freezing, and fluxes of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane in a northern hardwood forest

Soil–atmosphere fluxes of trace gases (especially nitrous oxide (N₂O)) can be significant during winter and at snowmelt. We investigated the effects of decreases in snow cover on soil freezing and trace gas fluxes at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, a northern hardwood forest in New Hampshire, USA. We manipulated snow depth by shoveling to induce soil freezing, and measured fluxes of N₂O, methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) in field chambers monthly (bi-weekly at snowmelt) in stands dominated by sugar maple or yellow birch. The snow manipulation and measurements were carried out in two winters (1997/1998 and 1998/1999) and measurements continued through 2000. Fluxes of CO₂ and CH₄ showed a strong seasonal pattern, with low rates in winter, but N₂O fluxes did not show strong seasonal variation. The snow manipulation induced soil freezing, increased N₂O flux and decreased CH₄ uptake in both treatment years, especially during winter. Annual N₂O fluxes in sugar maple treatment plots were 207 and 99 mg N m⁻² yr⁻¹ in 1998 and 1999 vs. 105 and 42 in reference plots. Tree species had no effect on N₂O or CO₂ fluxes, but CH₄ uptake was higher in plots dominated by yellow birch than in plots dominated by sugar maple. Our results suggest that winter fluxes of N₂O are important and that winter climate change that decreases snow cover will increase soil:atmosphere N₂O fluxes from northern hardwood forests.