Scientific publications

We assessed the carbon balance in two forest biogeocoenoses of Moscow region, including mixed mature forest on sandy Albeluvisols in Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve and secondary deciduous forest on loamy Luvisols at experimental field station of IPBSS RAS. CO₂ emissions from soils were continuously measured every week since 1998. NPP was estimated in 2000-2014 with NDVI. Long-term weather monitoring indicated distinctive trend to increasing aridit of climate in Southern part of Moscow Oblast in 1998-2014. Here we show that mixed and deciduous forests of Southern Moscow Region are the sink of carbon with the mean of 41-112 g C m^-2 depending on the contribution of root respiration during vegetation period. Taking CO₂ emission from soils during the cold seasons the forest coenoses are very likely to function as a source of atmospheric carbon og 30-100 g C m^-2 yr1 with maximum of 170-300 g C m^-2 yr^-1. Emission activity of coarse woody debris poses a significant share in quantitative evaluation of the C balance in mature forests. It reaches up to 14% of the total losses of C during decomposition of soil organic matter in the mixed forest, which turns it into persistent source of CO₂ to the atmosphere. We show that the sink function of the forest ecosystems was more pronounced in dry years. On the other hand the excessive wetness diminishes the sink potential and turns forests into sources of carbon dioxide.