In-situ Soil Carbon Dioxide Flux Measurement from Forest Floor in Karasu Forests in Western Black Sea Region of Turkey

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to measure the in-situ carbon dioxide emissions from forest floors in forested and deforested areas in Karasu Forests in Western Black Sea Region of Turkey. Carbon dioxide emissions from forest floors are one of the main reasons of increasing the carbon concentration in the atmosphere. Deforestation, releases CO2 to the atmosphere because carbon stored in the organic matter of trees and soils is oxidized during the processes of removing the forests. Closed dynamic soil respiration chamber measurement equipment CIRAS-2 SRC1 (PP systems, Hitchin, UK) is used to measure in-situ the forest floor CO2 flux from the study area. The following environmental parameters as follows are also determined: Soil moisture, temperature, pH, organic material content and soil texture. Statistical analyses were performed to demonstrate significant differences among soil parameters.