TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON LITTER DECOMPOSITION IN PEAT SOIL

摘要

The results from three experiments are reported, studying the effects of soil temperature on decomposition of Scots pine litter in peat soil and the pathways of carbon during decomposition. The temperature effect on decomposition was stronger at the beginning of the process. Most of the carbon released during decomposition was emitted to the atmosphere. A substantial part was retained in the peat soil. The results suggest that increasing soil temperatures due to global warming could increase carbon emissions to the atmosphere, and the relocation into the soil, as well.