Abstract:

In this study, the forest soil CH₄ oxidation rates were measured for consecutive 17 months(2009-04—2010-08) using static chamber and gas chromatography techniques. The results showed that soils of both natural forest and plantation were sinks for atmosphere CH₄. CH₄ oxidation rates varied from 10.83 μg·m^-2h^-1 to 75.02 μg·m^-2h^-1 for natural forest and from 7.66 to 46.40 μg·m^-2h^-1 for plantation during the observation period, and mean annual CH₄ oxidation rates in natural and plantation forest soils were 32.01 and 25.31 μg·m^-2h^-1, respectively. CH₄ oxidation rate was regulated not only by soil temperature, but also by soil volumetric water content and their interaction. While the soil volumetric water content significantly affected CH₄ oxidation rates, the effect of soil temperature was dependent on soil volumetric water content and soil depth.

Key words: forest conversion, natural forest, plantation, CH₄ oxidation rates