@article{ca0ba5f1654e47d7ae55afbea6ad39ea,
title = "Multiple scales of spatial heterogeneity control soil respiration responses to precipitation across a dryland rainfall gradient",
abstract = "Aims: Soil respiration (Rs) is a major pathway for carbon release to the atmosphere. We explored variability in dryland Rs response to rainfall pulses at multiple levels of spatial heterogeneity: 1) along a hyper-arid to arid rainfall gradient, 2) across soil surfaces that differ in stability and composition, and 3) among different geomorphic and vegetation patch types. Methods: We measured in situ Rs responses for 48 h following simulated rainfall pulses in the Namib Desert. Working across the rainfall gradient, we compared Rs responses on two soil surfaces. Each soil surface had two vegetation/geomorphic patch types that differed in organic matter sources and transport processes, with one characterized by depositional inputs and one characterized by erosional losses. Results: Soil respiration was highly responsive to rainfall pulses, although soil surfaces and patch types often exerted more control on Rs than did rainfall pulses. Rainfall generally had proportionally greater influence on Rs with higher annual rainfall. Greater Rs occurred on stable than unstable soil surfaces and in depositional than erosional patch types. Conclusions: Large differences in Rs among rainfall zones, soil surfaces, and patch types point to the need to carefully consider multiple scales of spatial heterogeneity when interpreting dryland biogeochemical fluxes.",
keywords = "Arid, Carbon cycle, Climate change, Fog desert, Hyper-arid, Namib Desert",
author = "Throop, {H. L.} and Seely, {M. K.} and Marufu, {V. J.} and {Summer Drylands Program Participants}, {Drylands Program Participants}",
note = "Funding Information: This contribution is an outcome of the 2015-2016 Summer Drylands Program (SDP) 19, an intensive field research program for current students and recent graduates of Namibian universities. This study was possible due to the dedicated fieldwork by SDP 19 participants from Namibia University of Science and Technology and University of Namibia (M. Donner, M. Hitila, K.T. Iita, K.E. Iyambo, S.N. Kalili, T.U. Kamburona, M.M. Liyeke, V.J. Marufu, P.V.I. Mundilo, S.N. Nuuyuni, J.I. Shimwafeni, V. Tjituka, R.S. Tshikesho). SDP 19 was generously funded by the Environmental Investment Fund (Namibia). Sincere thanks to Desert Research Foundation of Namibia and Gobabeb Research and Training Centre for hosting SDP. Support from G. Maggs-K{\"o}lling was critical to project success. University of Namibia and Namibia University of Science and Technology loaned the equipment which made this project possible. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism granted permission for research in the Namib-Naukluft Park. We appreciate assistance from N. Hornslein on soil moisture modeling. HT{\textquoteright}s participation in this project was supported by the United States Fulbright Board, the United States National Science Foundation (DEB-0953864), and Arizona State University. We appreciate constructive criticism from two anonymous reviewers. Funding Information: This contribution is an outcome of the 2015-2016 Summer Drylands Program (SDP) 19, an intensive field research program for current students and recent graduates of Namibian universities. This study was possible due to the dedicated fieldwork by SDP 19 participants from Namibia University of Science and Technology and University of Namibia (M. Donner, M. Hitila, K.T. Iita, K.E. Iyambo, S.N. Kalili, T.U. Kamburona, M.M. Liyeke, V.J. Marufu, P.V.I. Mundilo, S.N. Nuuyuni, J.I. Shimwafeni, V. Tjituka, R.S. Tshikesho). SDP 19 was generously funded by the Environmental Investment Fund (Namibia). Sincere thanks to Desert Research Foundation of Namibia and Gobabeb Research and Training Centre for hosting SDP. Support from G. Maggs-K?lling was critical to project success. University of Namibia and Namibia University of Science and Technology loaned the equipment which made this project possible. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism granted permission for research in the Namib-Naukluft Park. We appreciate assistance from N. Hornslein on soil moisture modeling. HT?s participation in this project was supported by the United States Fulbright Board, the United States National Science Foundation (DEB-0953864), and Arizona State University. We appreciate constructive criticism from two anonymous reviewers. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.",
year = "2020",
month = aug,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1007/s11104-020-04614-0",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "453",
pages = "423--443",
journal = "Plant and Soil",
issn = "0032-079X",
publisher = "Springer Netherlands",
number = "1-2",
}