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| Titel |
Decreased summer drought affects plant productivity and soil carbon dynamics in a Mediterranean woodland |
| VerfasserIn |
M. F. Cotrufo, G. Alberti, I. Inglima, H. Marjanović, D. LeCain, A. Zaldei, A. Peressotti, F. Miglietta |
| Medientyp |
Artikel
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| Sprache |
Englisch
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| ISSN |
1726-4170
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| Digitales Dokument |
URL |
| Erschienen |
In: Biogeosciences ; 8, no. 9 ; Nr. 8, no. 9 (2011-09-27), S.2729-2739 |
| Datensatznummer |
250006132
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| Publikation (Nr.) |
 copernicus.org/bg-8-2729-2011.pdf |
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| Zusammenfassung |
| Precipitation patterns are expected to change in the Mediterranean region
within the next decades, with projected decreases in total rainfall and
increases in extreme events. We manipulated precipitation patterns in a
Mediterranean woodland, dominated by Arbutus unedo L., to study the effects of changing
precipitation regimes on above-ground net primary production (ANPP) and soil
C dynamics, specifically plant-derived C input to soil and soil respiration
(SR). Experimental plots were exposed to either a 20 % reduction of
throughfall or to water addition targeted at maintaining soil water content
above a minimum of 10 % v/v. Treatments were compared to control plots
which received ambient precipitation. Enhanced soil moisture during summer
months highly stimulated annual stem primary production, litter fall, SR and
net annual plant-derived C input to soil which on average increased by
130 %, 26 %, 58 % and 220 %, respectively, as compared to the
control. In contrast, the 20 % reduction in throughfall (equivalent to
10 % reduction in precipitation) did not significantly change soil
moisture at the site, and therefore did not significantly affect ANPP or SR.
We conclude that minor changes (around 10 % reduction) in precipitation
amount are not likely to significantly affect ANPP or soil C dynamics in
Mediterranean woodlands. However, if summer rain increases, C cycling will
significantly accelerate but soil C stocks are not likely to be changed in
the short-term. More studies involving modelling of long-term C dynamics are
needed to predict if the estimated increases in soil C input under wet
conditions is going to be sustained and if labile C is being substituted to
stable C, with a negative effect on long-term soil C stocks. |
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