Spatial-Temporal Changes of Soil Respiration across China and the Response to Land Cover and Climate Change

Jiqun Wen, Xiaowei Chuai, Shanchi Li, Song Song, Jiasheng Li, Xiaomin Guo and Lei Yang
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Jiqun Wen: School of Public Management, Guangdong University of Finance & Economics, Guangzhou 510320, China
Xiaowei Chuai: School of Geography & Ocean Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Shanchi Li: Guangzhou Institute of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Guangzhou 510405, China
Song Song: School of Geographical Science, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Jiasheng Li: School of Geography & Ocean Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Xiaomin Guo: School of Geography & Ocean Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Lei Yang: School of Public Management, Guangdong University of Finance & Economics, Guangzhou 510320, China

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 12, 1-18

Abstract: Soil respiration (Rs) plays an important role in the carbon budget of terrestrial ecosystems. Quantifying the spatial and temporal variations in Rs in China at the regional scale helps improve our understanding of the variations in terrestrial carbon budgets that occur in response to global climate and environmental changes and potential future control measures. In this study, we used a regional-scale geostatistical model that incorporates gridded meteorological and pedologic data to evaluate the spatial Rs variations in China from 2000 to 2013. We analysed the relationship between Rs and environmental factors, and suggest management strategies that may help to keep the terrestrial carbon balance. The simulated results demonstrate that the mean annual Rs value over these 14 years was 422 g/m 2 /year, and the corresponding total amount was 4.01 Pg C/year. The Rs estimation displayed a clear spatial pattern and a slightly increasing trend. Further analysis also indicated that high Rs values may occur in areas that show a greater degree of synchronicity in the timing of their optimal temperature and moisture conditions. Moreover, cultivated vegetation exhibits higher Rs values than native vegetation. Finally, we suggest that specific conservation efforts should be focused on ecologically sensitive areas where the Rs values increase significantly.

Keywords: soil respiration; spatial-temporal changes; environmental factors; trend analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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