Evaluation of soil respiration and soil CO2 concentration in a lowland moist forest in Panama

Soil gas exchange was investigated in a lowland moist forest in Panama. Soil water table level and soil redox potentials indicate that the soils are not waterlogged. Substantial microspatial variation exists for soil respiration and soil CO₂ concentration. During the rainy season, soil CO₂ at 40 cm below the surface accumulates to 2.3%–4.6% and is correlated with rainfall during the previous two weeks. Temporal changes in soil CO₂ are rapid, large and share similar trends between sampling points. Possible effects of soil CO₂ changes on plant growth or phenology are discussed.