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      The role of Empodisma robustum litter in CO₂ exchange at Kopuatai bog

      Keyte Beattie, Alexandra Margaret
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      Keyte Beattie, A. M. (2014). The role of Empodisma robustum litter in CO₂ exchange at Kopuatai bog (Thesis, Master of Science (MSc)). University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10289/8695
      Permanent Research Commons link: https://hdl.handle.net/10289/8695
      Abstract
      Respiration from the decomposition of standing dead litter in peatlands influences the ecosystem carbon balance through its contribution to total ecosystem respiration (ER). This research determined the proportion of ER estimated at Kopuatai bog that is sourced from the decomposition of Empodisma robustum litter in the canopy. Canopy harvests were carried out to measure the mass of standing litter in the canopy; laboratory litter incubations were used to measure respiration rates over a range of temperatures and moisture contents; and a simple model was developed to estimate annual litter respiration using inputs of canopy wetness duration and canopy temperature.

      E. robustum litter comprised an average of 51% of the total canopy biomass, with 0.92 kg m⁻² standing litter dry matter in 1.8 kg m⁻² of total canopy dry matter. The majority of this litter is located in the lower part of the canopy. Very low respiration rates were measured for the E. robustum litter, although respiration was significantly higher in litter which was more physically decomposed (R₁₀ = 0.44 (± 0.1) μmol kg⁻¹ s⁻¹) than that which was freshly dead (R₁₀ = 0.24 (± 0.05) μmol kg⁻¹ s⁻¹). Litter respiration showed a strong temperature response, and was moisture-limited below approximately 50% moisture content. The model of litter respiration estimated that standing dead E. robustum litter contributed 59 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹ (8.8%) to annual total ER. This represents an estimated litter turnover time of 7 – 8 years. While the contribution of litter respiration to ER is relatively small, the resulting large mass of recalcitrant litter in the canopy may contribute to E. robustum’s ability to engineer its environment.
      Date
      2014
      Type
      Thesis
      Degree Name
      Master of Science (MSc)
      Supervisors
      Campbell, David I.
      Schipper, Louis A.
      Publisher
      University of Waikato
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      All items in Research Commons are provided for private study and research purposes and are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated.
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      • Masters Degree Theses [2387]
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