Heterotrophic and rhizospheric respiration in coniferous forest soils along a latitudinal gradient

Northern forest soils are a major carbon (C) reservoir of global importance. To estimate how the C balance in these will change, roles tree roots and soil microbes should first be decoupled. This study determined activity heterotrophs together with root-associated rhizosphere varies coniferous boreal, hemiboreal, temperate climates along latitudinal gradient using trenching approach. We created experimental plots without living roots, measured respiration (CO2 efflux) from unmanipulated chamber technique, partitioned efflux into root-rhizosphere (RR) heterotrophic (RH) respiration. The share RR ecosystem gross primary production (GPP) decreased north to south Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forests, exception mixed site, where GPP varied strongly between years. per ground area root biomass were mainly independent climate within gradient. RH increased temperature, while did not change temperature. Soil moisture significantly affect components northernmost whereas was positively connected negatively other sites pure stands. dynamic model LPJ-GUESS able capture seasonal dynamics at sites, but overall accuracy markedly as underestimated southern site elsewhere. Our provides knowledge about nature components. valuable insights can used more accurate land-ecosystem modelling ecosystems.