Author
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Skinner, Robert |
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Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 4/6/2011 Publication Date: 10/16/2011 Citation: Skinner, R.H. 2011. Nitrogen fertilization increases pasture canopy photosynthesis and ecosystem respiration[abstract]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. Paper No. 64481. Interpretive Summary: An interpretive summary is not required. Technical Abstract: Proper management of agricultural lands has the potential to increase soil C sequestration and help reduce the rate that carbon dioxide concentration is increasing in the atmosphere. Grazing lands, in particular, are thought to have a high C sequestration potential. Eddy covariance systems have continuously monitored carbon dioxide flux from two low-input temperate pastures since January 2003. These pastures received only limited fertilizer inputs and as a consequence had relatively low productivity. Averaged over the first five years of C flux measurements (2003-2007) net ecosystem exchange (NEE) on one pasture was 69 g CO2 m**-2 yr**-1 (positive values indicate a net loss of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, whereas negative values indicate net ecosystem uptake). Beginning in 2008, we applied 200-250 kg N ha**-1 yr**-1 to one of the two pastures to determine if improved fertility could increase gross primary productivity (GPP) but also to determine if concurrent increases in ecosystem respiration (Re) would offset the gains in GPP. Gross primary productivity averaged over three years (2008-2010) increased 20% under the higher fertility regime compared to the first five years, but Re also increased by 16%. The net result was to change NEE from a net source to a net sink of -118 g CO2 m**-2 yr**-1. It appears that increased N fertilization of previous low-input pastures can improve soil C sequestration despite the concurrent increase in Re. |
