comparison of soil climate and biological activity along an elevation gradient in the eastern Mojave desert

• Published in: Oecologia 1989-01, Vol.80 (3), p.395-400
• Main Authors: Amundson, R.G, Chadwick, O.A, Sowers, J.M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Alluvial soils; Biological and medical sciences; carbon dioxide; Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties; Climate models; degradation; Desert soils; deserts; Forest soils; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Grassland soils; Organic matter; Organic soils; Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils; soil analysis; Soil biology; soil organic matter; Soil plant interactions; Soil science; Soil water; soil water content; temperature; Vegetation
• ISSN: 0029-8549; 1432-1939
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00379042

Soil temperature, moisture, and CO₂ were monitored at four sites along an elevation transect in the eastern Mojave Desert from January to October, 1987. Climate appeared to be the major factor controlling CO₂ partial pressures, primarily through its influence of rates of biological reactions, vegetation densities, and organic matter production. With increasing elevation, and increasing actual evapotranspiration, the organic C, plant density, and the CO₂ content of the soils increased. Between January and May, soil CO₂ concentrations at a given site were closely related to variations in soil temperature. In July and October, temperatures had little effect on CO₂, presumably due to low soil moisture levels. Up to 75% of litter placed in the field in March was lost by October whereas, for the 3 lower elevations, less than 10% of the litter placed in the field in April was lost through decomposition processes.