Variability of the Apparent Respiratory Quotient of a forest Soils and Tree Stems

Abstract

The ratio of CO 2 /O 2 fluxes in respiration (ARQ) depends on the substrate stoichiometry and on additional processes reacting with the gases • Bulk-soil ARQ value is governed by stoichiometry in high respiration rates and by processes like abiotic Fe 2+ oxidation in low rates• ARQ can be used to partition soil respiration sources as shown by distinct bulk-soil and roots ARQ values that confine total soil value