Effects of temperature change and tree species composition on N2O and NO emissions in acidic forest soils of subtropical China

Tree species and temperature change arising from seasonal variation or global warming are two important factors influencing N2O and NO emissions from forest soils. However, few studies have examined the effects of temperatures (5–35°C) on the emissions of forest soil N2O and NO in typical subtropical region. A short-term laboratory experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of temperature changes (5–35°C) on soil N2O and NO emissions under aerobic conditions in two contrasting (broad-leaved and coniferous) subtropical acidic forest types in China. The results showed that the temporal pattern of N2O and NO emissions between the three lower temperatures (5°C, 15°C, and 25°C) and 35°C was significantly different for both broad-leaved and coniferous forest soils. The effects of temperature on soil N2O and NO emission rates varied between broad-leaved and coniferous forest soils. Both N2O and NO emissions increased exponentially with an increase in temperature in the broad-leaved forest soil. However, N2O and NO emissions in the coniferous forest soil were not sensitive to temperature change between 5°C and 25°C. N2O and NO emission rates were significantly higher in the broad-leaved forest soil as compared with the coniferous forest soil at all incubation temperatures except 5°C. These results suggest that the broad-leaved forest could contribute more N2O and NO emissions than the coniferous forest for most of the year in the subtropical region of China.