Abstract
The influencing factors on the carbon dynamics of low latitude regions remain unclear in the global carbon budgets. Studies on the carbon budget of sacred groves of north east India as well as influencing factors on rate of carbon dioxide efflux are scanty. This study explores the spatial and temporal seasonality trend in the rate of soil CO2 efflux in relation to biotic and abiotic factors in subtropical sacred groves of Manipur. An automatic chamber system was used in measurement process in six selected sacred groves over two consecutive years. In the present study, soil CO2 efflux rates showed a positive exponential correlation with soil temperature, soil moisture and root biomass, having greater sensitivity to soil temperature. The rate of soil CO2 efflux showed strong positive correlation to seasonal soil organic carbon content indicating greater role in mineralization with higher carbon dioxide emission. Litter biomass showed negative correlation with soil CO2 efflux depicts trade-off carbon budget. This indicates the sensibility of soil CO2 efflux with soil temperature surpassing the influence of soil moisture and other biotic factors. It suggests that the persisting carbon sink will be weakening with the increase in temperature, giving the feedback mechanism regarding carbon cycle under global warming scenario in the subtropical region.
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Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank, Head Department of Life Sciences, Manipur University for giving all the facilities of the Department for conducting this research work. The first author also thank to those who help in the field work for conducting this research.
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Sanjita, C., Thounaojam, R.S., Singh, T.B. et al. Soil CO2 efflux variability influenced by different factors in the subtropical sacred groves of Manipur, North-East India. Trop Ecol 63, 650–663 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42965-022-00225-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42965-022-00225-1