Seasonal variations of isoprene emissions from five oak tree species in East Asia

Emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) from trees can enhance the photochemical production of tropospheric ozone. Isoprene is one of the most environmentally important BVOCs, since its emission rate from certain tree species can be high and its chemical structure gives it high ozone forming potential. Understanding of isoprene emission rates from many tree species is limited, including influences of tree age, season, and other factors. Five oak species were studied which represent approximately 85 percent of the deciduous trees in South Korean forests. In general, there were obvious seasonal variations of isoprene emissions from five oak trees. Especially, Quercus aliena B. and Quercus mongolica F showed substantial seasonal variations of isoprene emissions; However, Quercus serrata T. and Quercus acutissima C. generally did not. It was found that Q. serrata T. showed the highest isoprene emission rates among the species tested (up to 130.5 μgC gdw−1 h−1) and its emission rates were highest during spring followed by summer and fall. The emission rates from two (Q. acutissima C., Quercus variabilis B.) of the other tested oak species were lower by more than 3 orders of magnitude. Besides, two oak species, Q. aliena B. and Q. mongolica F. were chosen to determine the effect of tree age on isoprene emissions. Trees at the age of 21∼30 years had significantly higher isoprene emission rates than those at the age of 41∼50.

► There were obvious seasonal variations of isoprene emissions from five oak tree species.
► Three oak species are high isoprene emitters, but the others are low emitters.
► Q. acutissima C. and Q. variabilis B. were extremely low emitters compared to the other species.