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Profiles of CO2 concentration and δ13C values in tropical rain forests of the upper Rio Negro Basin, Venezuela

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Ernesto Medina ,
Gustavo Montes ,
Elvira Cuevas  and
Zarko Rokzandic
Ernesto Medina
Affiliation:
Centro de Ecologia, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Cientificas, Aptdo. 1827, Caracas, Venezuela
Gustavo Montes
Affiliation:
Centro de Ecologia, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Cientificas, Aptdo. 1827, Caracas, Venezuela
Elvira Cuevas
Affiliation:
Centro de Ecologia, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Cientificas, Aptdo. 1827, Caracas, Venezuela
Zarko Rokzandic
Affiliation:
Centro de Ecologia, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Cientificas, Aptdo. 1827, Caracas, Venezuela
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Abstract

Concentration of CO2, above and below the soil surface and δ13C values of plant tissues, soil litter and organic matter were measured in a caatinga forest of the upper Rio Negro basin in southern Venezuela. CO2, concentrations near the forest floor were consistently higher than in the atmosphere. CO2, gradient in the soil was very steep probably because of the poor aeration in this flood-prone forest. δ13C values of plant tissues showed a clear pattern with lower values in the ground herbaceous plants and under-canopy trees. Tree seedlings showed δ13C values similar to the upper-canopy trees indicating their dependence on reserves carried in the seed from the mother tree. Decomposing litter and soil organic matter also showed δ13C values similar to the upper-canopy trees. It is suggested that lower δ13C values of the shade flora result primarily from the assimilation of CO2, depleted in δ13C originating from soil respiration. Probable effects of low light intensity and physiological factors are discussed.

Keywords

Amazonian forestCO2 concentrationδ13C valuesrain forestVenezuela
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 2 , Issue 3 , August 1986 , pp. 207 - 217
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

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