Soil Carbon Dioxide and Methane Efflux From an Everglades Tree Island and Ridge Landscape

The influence water levels have on CO2 and CH4 efflux were investigated at the Loxahatchee Impoundment Landscape Assessment (LILA) research facility, located in Boynton Beach, FL, USA. Measurements of CO2 efflux were taken for 24 h periods four times for one year from study plots. Laboratory incubations of intact soil cores were sampled for CO2, CH4, and redox potential. Additionally, soil cores from wet and dry condition were incubated for determination of enzyme activity and macronutrient limitation on decomposition of organic matter from study soils. Water levels had a significant negative influence on CO2 efflux and redox, but did not significantly influence CH4 efflux. Study plots were significantly different in CH4 efflux and redox potential. Labile carbon was more limiting to potential CO2 and CH4 production than phosphorus, with the effect significantly greater from dry conditions soils. Enzyme activity results were variable with greater macronutrient responses from dry condition soils.