Partitioning the components of soil respiration: A research challenge

E. M. Baggs*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Little is known about the respiratory components of CO2 emitted from soils and attaining a reliable quantification of the contribution of root respiration remains one of the major challenges facing ecosystem research. Resolving this would provide major advances in our ability to predict ecosystem responses to climate change. The merits and technical and theoretical difficulties associated with different approaches adopted for partitioning respiration components are discussed here. The way forward is suggested to be the development of non-invasive regression analysis validated by stable isotope approaches to increase the sensitivity of model functions to include components of rhizosphere microbial activity, changing root biomass and the dynamics of a wide range of soil C pools.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-5
Number of pages5
JournalPlant and Soil
Volume284
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2006

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • CO flux
  • CO partitioning
  • Heterotrophic respiration
  • Root respiration
  • Soil respiration

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