Abstract.
Soil respiration is considered to represent the overall microbial activity reflecting mineralisation of organic matter in soil. It is the most commonly used biological variable in soil studies. In long-term monitoring of forested areas, there is a need for reference values for soil microbiological variables in different forest ecosystems. In this study we describe the relationship between soil respiration rate, tree stand and humus chemical characteristics of boreal coniferous forests stands. Soil respiration rate was higher in pine dominated than in spruce dominated study sites when the result was calculated on dry matter bases. However, when calculated on area bases, the result was opposite and no difference was found when the soil respiration rate was calculated on organic carbon bases. Irrespective of the main tree species, the soil respiration rate was equal in different development classes but not equal in soil fertility classes, i.e. within forest site types based on differences in ground vegetation. Respiration rates were clearly higher in mesic sites when calculated on dry matter, Corg or area bases. However, soil respiration rate did not correlate with soil chemical variables indicating site fertility. Soil respiration rate on dry matter basis was at a lower level in the south and on more fertile sites, and on the other hand at a higher level in older stands and on sites with a thicker organic layer.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aarnio, T. and Martikainen, P. J.: 1994, ‘Mineralization of carbon and nitrogen in acid forest soil treated with fast- and slow-release nutrients’, Plant Soil 164 187–193.
Bth, E.: 1989, ‘Effects of heavy metals in soil on microbial processes and populations (a review)’, Water, Air Soil Pollut. 47 335–379.
Cajander, A. K.: 1949, ‘Forest types and their significance’, Acta For Fenn. 56 71.
Finnish Forest Research Institute: 1985, Valtakunnan metsien 8. inventointi. Pysyvien koealojen kenttätyön ohjeet 1985–1986 (The 8th national forest inventory. Field instructions for permanent sample plots in 1985–1986). The Finnish Forest Research Institute, Dept. of Forest Inventory pp. 127 s. (in Finnish).
Halonen, O., Tulkki, H. and Derome, J.: 1983, ‘Nutrient analysis methods’, Metsäntutkimuslaitoksen tiedonantoja 121 28.
Howard, D. M. and Howard, P. J. A.: 1993, ‘Relationships between CO2 evolution, moisture content and temperature for a range of soil types’, Soil Biol. Biochem. 25 1537–1546.
Kurka, A.-M. and Starr, M.: 1997, ‘Relationship between decomposition of cellulose in the soil and tree stand characteristics in natural boreal forests’, Plant Soil 197 167–175.
Kurka, A.-M., Starr, M., Karsisto, M. and Salkinoja-Salonen, M.: 2001, ‘Relationship between decomposition of cellulose strips and chemical properties of humus layer in natural boreal forests’, Plant Soil 229 137--146.
Pennanen, T., Perkiömäki, J., Kiikkilä, O., Vanhala, P., Neuvonen, S. and Fritze, H.: 1998, ‘Prolonged, simulated acid rain and heavy metal deposition: Separated and combined effects on forest soil microbial community structure’, FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 27 291–300.
Pennanen, T., Liski, J., Bth, E., Kitunen, V., Uotila, J., Westman, C-J. and Fritze, H.: 1999, ‘Structure of the microbial communities in coniferous forest soils in relation to site fertility and stand development stage’, Microb. Ecol. 38 168–179.
Singh, J. S. and Gupta, S. R.: 1977, ‘Plant decomposition and soil respiration in terrestrial ecosystems’, Botan. Rev. 43 449–528.
Tamminen, P.: 2000, ‘Soil Factors’, in E. Mälkönen (ed), Forest Condition in a Changing Environment—The Finnish Case. Forestry Sciences. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht-Boston-London, pp.72–86.
Tamminen, P. and Starr, M.: 1990, ‘A survey of Forest Soil Properties Related to Soil Acidification in Southern Finland’, in P. Kauppi, P. Anttila and K. Kenttämies (eds), Acidification in Finland, Springer-Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 235–251.
Vanhala, P.: 2002, ‘Seasonal variation in the soil respiration rate in coniferous forest soils’, Soil Biol. Biochem. 34 1375–1379.
Vanhala, P. and Ahtiainen, J.: 1994, ‘Soil respiration, ATP content and Photobacterium toxicity test as indicators of metal pollution in soil’, Environ. Toxicol. Water Qual. 9 115–121.
Vanhala, P., Kiikkilä, O. and Fritze, H.: 1996a, ‘Microbial responses of forest soil to moderate anthropogenic air pollution’, Water, Air, Soil Pollut. 86 173–186.
Vanhala, P., Fritze, H. and Neuvonen, S.: 1996b, ‘Prolonged simulated acid treatment in the subarctic: Effect on the soil respiration rate and microbial biomass’, Biol. Fertil Soils 23 7–14.
Vanhala, P., Kapanen, A., Fritze, H. and Niemi, M.: 1998, ‘Microbial activity and biomass in four Finnish coniferous forest soils—spatial variability and effects of heavy metals’, Boreal Environ. Res. 3, 287–295.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
VANHALA, P., TAMMINEN, P. & FRITZE, H. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BASAL SOIL RESPIRATION RATE, TREE STAND AND SOIL CHARACTERISTICS IN BOREAL FORESTS. Environ Monit Assess 101, 85–92 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-005-9134-0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-005-9134-0