Seasonal dynamics of soil CO2 production in the arboretum of the Moscow State University Botanical Garden

Abstract

This paper tracks the annual dynamics of carbon dioxide production (emission and profile concentration) by soils of the arboretum in the Moscow State University Botanical Garden that are planted with Siberian spruce and common pine. The high biological activity of the studied soils is caused by the high content of organic matter, slightly alkaline reaction, and good structure and texture. Differences in CO₂ production by the soils of a spruce and pine forest (1.5–2 times higher in the latter) can be explained by different structures of soil profiles rather than a temperature regime. The seasonal dynamics of CO₂ production are the same for both soils and associated with seasonal changes in climatic parameters. In the cold season, there is noticeable production of carbon dioxide by soils.