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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #141173
Title: NITROGEN AND CARBON CYCLING IN A MODEL LONGLEAF PINE COMMUNITY AS AFFECTED BY ELEVATED ATMOSPHERIC CO2.

Author
item Torbert, Henry - Allen
item Prior, Stephen - Steve
item Runion, George
item DAVIS, M - UNIV. OF SO. MISS.
item PRITCHARD, SETH - BELMONT UNIVERSITY
item Rogers Jr, Hugo

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/19/2002
Publication Date: 11/19/2002
Citation: Torbert, H.A., Prior, S.A., Runion, G.B., Davis, M.A., Pritchard, S.G., and Rogers, H.H. 2002. Nitrogen and carbon cycling in a model longleaf pine community as affected by elevated atmospheric CO2. p. 199. In USDA Symposium on Natural Resource Management to Offset Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Program and Abstracts. Raleigh, NC, November 19-21.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Increasing global atmospheric CO2 concentration has led to concerns regarding its potential effects on the terrestrial environment and the long-term storage of C and N in soil. A study was conducted examining the responses to elevated CO2 on a typical regenerating longleaf pine-wiregrass community. The study consisted of a model community of five plant species: 1) an evergreen conifer (Pinus palustris), 2) a bunch grass (Aristida stricta), 3) a broadleaf tree (Quercus margaretta), 4) a perennial herbaceous legume (Crotalaria rotundifolia), and 5) a herbaceous perennial (Asclepias tuberosa). The CO2-enriched plots had greater aboveground biomass than ambient plots, mainly due to an increased pine biomass. After 5 years, soil (Blanton loamy sand: loamy, siliceous, thermic Grossarenic Paleudult) samples were collected from 0-5, 5-10, and 10-20 cm depth increments. Microbial respiration, potential C and N mineralization, and C turnover were measured during a 120 d incubation of the soil samples. Changes in these measures will be discussed.