Productivity and Seasonality Drive Total Soil Respiration in Semi-Arid Juniper Woodlands (Juniperus thurifera L., Southern Spain)

We analyzed the relationship between forest productivity (joint effect of maturity and soil quality) total respiration (µmol CO2 m−2 s−1) in semi-arid juniper woodlands (young growing abandoned farmlands with deeper soils, mature lithic soils), investigated seasonal variation efflux as a function temperature water content. measured from twelve cylinders over three-year period using LI-6400 equipment. The results show that, more productive site woodland), was higher due to greater respiration, mainly driest periods. Soil followed trend, being spring decreasing cold In both especially older forest, rates were low (<2.5 for Q10), typical slow-growing species. controlled by without drought temperate-warm season, whereas showed sensitivity content periods when edaphic humidity (but only productive, young which seemed better adaptation drought), under high moisture (soil > 25%) woodlands, coinciding warm temperatures spring. This also corresponded highest recorded woodlands. accumulation organic C seems be important maintain elevated summer, Thus, apart microclimatic conditions, factors related regulate respiratory activity.